Synonyms of backing away

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrawing
• retreating
• falling back
• pulling out
• losing ground
• giving way
• dropping back
• retiring
• giving ground
• receding
• fleeing
• evacuating
• backing down
• flying
• climbing down
• pulling away
• bowing out
• leaving
• chickening (out)
• shrinking
• recoiling
• flinching
• detaching
• departing
• going
• abandoning
• backtracking
• disengaging
• vacating
• disentangling
• quitting
• backpedaling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advancing
• facing
• confronting
• daring
• defying
• breasting
• braving
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding

Example Sentences

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