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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Recent Examples of backing away
In a nation backing away from previous diversity commitments, there is little societal pressure for NFL owners to be better.
—
Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
At least six city councilors, Culpepper, Ed Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell, swiftly issued statements or wrote to Wu administration officials expressing concern about backing away from prior commitments made to the majority-Black and brown community.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Videos show the officers backing away, some with guns drawn.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
The group also faces challenges in local officials’ decisions that slow local transit growth, like scaling back plans for new trolley lines and backing away from ambitious proposals to charge drivers per mile driven to fund transit.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
After initially backing away, the boy stabbed Gutierrez three times, authorities said.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
While backing away, the victim eventually collapsed, and Thurman walked away toward a different car.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Even as the legislation headed for victory in the Senate, some House members started backing away.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
At least six city councilors, Culpepper, Ed Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell, swiftly issued statements or wrote to Wu administration officials expressing concern about backing away from prior commitments made to the majority-Black and brown community.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Videos show the officers backing away, some with guns drawn.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
The group also faces challenges in local officials’ decisions that slow local transit growth, like scaling back plans for new trolley lines and backing away from ambitious proposals to charge drivers per mile driven to fund transit.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
After initially backing away, the boy stabbed Gutierrez three times, authorities said.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
While backing away, the victim eventually collapsed, and Thurman walked away toward a different car.
—Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Even as the legislation headed for victory in the Senate, some House members started backing away.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
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In so doing, avoid withdrawing NATO’s commitment to defend NATO member states’ remote, former (and, in the case of Cyprus, coincidentally insular) colonial territories was thus established as a norm for the alliance, not an exception – one that is newly relevant once again.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gold set a new record near $5,600 an ounce before retreating on Thursday , one month after gold saw the largest annual increase in 2025 since 1979.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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Between the whip lash of braving icy winds and retreating to heat-blasting apartments, nearly every skin type can start to feel off-balance.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Despite a calamitous financial outlook, its share price has shown resiliency — soaring to an all-time high of almost $500 last month before falling back to around $422 this morning after the Q4 reveal.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
29 Jan. 2026
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Grande has previously shared her desire to return to theater after falling back in love with acting through the filming of Wicked.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Fans of Harry Styles are pulling out all the stops — and even some blood — in an effort to afford tickets for his upcoming world tour.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
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Dozens of advertisers are pulling out all the stops for Super Bowl 60, airing Sunday on NBC.—
Mae Anderson,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gold’s price rallied near $5,600 per ounce in the morning before suddenly and briefly dropping back below $5,200.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Rieder’s odds topped 60% on Polymarket and Kalshi this weekend before dropping back slightly, while the previous front runner Warsh saw his odds fall sharply to around 30%.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Hinsdale High School District 86 Board was slated to vote Wednesday on the approval of a new superintendent to replace Michael Lach, who is retiring.—
Chuck Fieldman,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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Vonn eventually won bronze in the downhill at the 2019 world championships in Åre, Sweden, before retiring for the first time.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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