BACKING (UP OR AWAY) Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

backing (up or away)

verb

Definition of backing (up or away)

present participle of back (up or away)

as in running away

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing (up or away)

Verb

And with the Brewers already a lock for the postseason and running away with the top overall seed, it's given rise to questions about the most advisable course of action for the 24-year-old.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Security camera footage shows the shocking moment flood water crashes through the Nepal-China border area, with people seen running away as the water appears to wipe out everything in its path.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of running away

Verb

Van Aert’s victory extends his lead over Brennan to 65 points in the uncompetitive green jersey contest, with his only realistic rival, Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen, withdrawing from the race earlier this week.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The council eventually agreed in May to delay implementation of the minimum wage increase by 18 months in exchange for the business coalition withdrawing the gross receipts measure.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

With his hair receding, Jordan shaved his head clean in 1989 and turned the look into one of the most recognisable images in sport.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Authorities in Hungary closed Budapest’s Margaret Bridge after a bomb dating from World War II emerged at its base in receding water.

— Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of receding

Verb

Just as Alcaraz took the long view with his wrist injury, pulling out of tournaments early and ramping up his comeback slowly, for Sinner, there is no reward in risk.

— James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Some winemakers are reacting by pulling out vineyards, changing their grape varieties, moving further north or introducing irrigation systems.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of pulling out

Verb

Government troops patrolled the streets, ambulances rushed to the victims, and residents ventured out assessing damage and clearing out bloodied clothes from the pavement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
While Vonnegut toiled in a malt syrup factory, several other prisoners were assigned to labor details clearing out the rubble left behind from the bombings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of clearing out

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backing (up)

backing (up or away)

backland

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“Backing (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of backing (up or away)

verb

Example Sentences

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