Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing (up or away)
Verb
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Before running away, the suspect demanded that Cornejo go to the back of the shop and get on her knees.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026 -
The clip then captured the bear returning later before running away again after trying to move the electric mat.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In June 2025, Shields was allegedly walking out of her bathroom when she was bitten on her big toe by a large brown spider.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Freeman and Penn coach Brad Harper allegedly exchanged words with Fleeger as Freeman, his son and the Penn coach were walking out of the gym.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But again, no school can prevent a player from withdrawing and enrolling elsewhere.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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With his previous attorney withdrawing from the case, arraignment was postponed Wednesday for Rob Reiner’s youngest son, who is charged with murdering the famed filmmaker and his photographer wife Michele in their Brentwood home.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The reigning world champion returned to competitive skating last season with a bang after retiring following the 2022 Beijing Olympics.—
Lillian Karabaic,
NPR,
9 Jan. 2026
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The school will hold a ceremony retiring her jersey at halftime of the boys’ basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Not when Kate is receding into the background, like Homer Simpson into his hedge.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
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To the south near the San Francisco Bay Area, waters were slowly receding after roadways from Sausalito to San Rafael were flooded during heavy rain that coincided with record-breaking King Tides.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The pact also included staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.—
David R. Martin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Gosling has a way of retreating into a silence more emotionally eloquent than the film’s occasionally clunky dialogue.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The publicity staff is pulling out all the stops to arouse interest in the show, including a Hollywood premiere in New York complete with lights, blazing Bat symbols, plush red carpets, champagne and popcorn.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
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This usually requires pulling out any hair that gets trapped between the bristles.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Despite the holiday season clearing out offices, sending thousands on vacation, and shutting down stores early, CEOs tell Fortune their work lives are still intense.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
1 Jan. 2026
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Rake It Flat After clearing out the weeds and plant debris from your beds, use a rake to smooth the soil and break up any clumps of dirt.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Backing (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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