Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing (up or away)
Verb
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The second man pulled out a gun and shot the first man multiple times before running away, police said.—
Desiree Evans,
CBS News,
14 June 2026 -
But the Democrats aren’t running away with it at all.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The pair were then spotted together a handful of times in the coming months, including walking out of a dinner date in Los Angeles to holding hands at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
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The clip shows the dog pausing to size up the high mattress before quietly walking out of the room, as if weighing up whether the jump is worth it.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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After battling through injury during Saturday's third round at the RBC Canadian Open, Brooks Koepka opted not to give it a go in the final round, ultimately withdrawing from the PGA Tour event on Sunday morning.—
Mark Harris,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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On Wednesday afternoon, Robert Reeve, attorney for Noble, notified Farmington his client was withdrawing the plan.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
Verb
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In 2018, Rita Ferro succeeded the retiring Erhardt as the ESPN sales boss under a new title (president, Disney ad sales).—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
16 June 2026
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Dominic Murphy, who has spent two decades investigating such activities — including previous high-profile attacks — and who oversaw the initial investigation into the fires before retiring in March.—
Emma Burrows,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Stamfordham, a military veteran with a thick drooping mustache and receding hairline, sat down at his desk in Windsor Castle on April 17 and penned a note to the War Office.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
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The influx of cattle and their traffickers into the forests of Central America has had serious consequences, Radachowsky said, including receding tree cover, growing violence and the spread of new diseases.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Beaming for the cameras, the two exchanged a warm, firm handshake before retreating from the public eye and into the confines of the Russian presidential limousine for a private, hour-long discussion.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
3 Dec. 2025
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Lenders are retreating, property values are falling and construction is stalling.—
Joy Chen,
Mercury News,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The video, with no audio, showed a man identified by police as Stines pulling out a gun and shooting at the judge, who was seated at his desk.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
11 Dec. 2025
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The thought of pulling out crosses my mind more than a few times.—
Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou,
CNN Money,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Every nation uses sport as an identity-forming exercise, but only modern Americans play with such an aggressive sense of clearing out space.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
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Start off your summer on a clutter-free, minimalist note by clearing out these eight items.—
Lacey Ramburger,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
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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 17 Jun. 2026.
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