BACKING AWAY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

backing away

verb

present participle of back away

as in withdrawing

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of backing away The mission will arrive at the moons in 2027, spend two years mapping Phobos and selecting a landing site for sampling before backing away to observe Deimos. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026 Instead of literally backing away, in this example, the person metaphorically backs away by completing the session and exiting as expected without further conflict. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Carrington wasn't backing away from her use of the phrase. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 And yet, for the first time in more than a century, the United States is not backing away. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 Zoom isn’t backing away from traditional commercials, says Storin, but sees a need to shift to new tactics as digitally-savvy consumers discover services, products and brands in different ways. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 July 2026 Even as beef prices continue to hit record highs, Burger King is not backing away from burgers. — Hallie Jackson, NBC news, 20 July 2026 According to the report, Sheets' girlfriend pleaded with him while backing away and heard one gunshot. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 8 July 2026 As the officers ask Marseille to put the dog away, bodycam video shows the second officer unholstering his gun and backing away from the barking dog. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away

Verb

The White House did not give a reason for withdrawing Schroyer's nomination.

— Luke Barr, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
Kraft rallied together several other stadium owners into withdrawing their venues from the tour if Macklemore had been allowed to perform.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Verb

The risk of debris falling back to Earth and harming someone or something is slim but not zero.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
The action was stronger in the oil market, where the price for a barrel of Brent crude briefly jumped above $90 in the morning before falling back below $87.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of falling back

Verb

Use credit, but be smart about it When finances are tight, pulling out a credit card may seem irresponsible.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 16 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of pulling out

Verb

The soggy weekend comes as temperatures are expected to climb again in Los Angeles this week, soaring into the mid-90s by Wednesday and Thursday and dropping back into the 80s next weekend.

— Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Despite dropping back in the final kilometers, overall leader Tadej Pogačar limited his time losses by driving the main chase group across the line.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dropping back

Browse Nearby Words

backing

backing away

backing down

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“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of backing away

verb

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