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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 young alligator was also taken off guard, and is seen backing away in search of an exit. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
  1. withdrawing
  2. retreating
  3. falling back
  4. pulling out
  5. dropping back
  6. retiring
Verb
  • The city would also be prohibited from withdrawing more than 50% of the amount of money in the fund unless the mayor certifies that there is a compelling fiscal need.
    — Digital Producer, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Uganda is withdrawing troops deployed for years in Somalia under an African Union peacekeeping force that helped repel militants in the Horn of Africa nation, military authorities said on Monday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of withdrawing
Verb
  • French social media users criticized Mbappé for retreating on his comments.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The pool is the best spot to take in the sunset before retreating to the open-air dining space for good eats and conversation.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreating
Verb
  • The rocket soared to an altitude of about 65 miles before falling back to Earth.
    — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Apple's market value briefly surpassed Nvidia in July, before falling back below.
    — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of falling back
Verb
  • The abrupt development came on the heels of BC Partners pulling out of its arrangement to invest $300 million into the LIV Golf League after a simple head count made clear not enough of the circuit’s top golfers planned to return in 2027.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • National groups from both parties began pulling out of the race earlier this month, signaling that both now view the contest as less competitive than previously thought.
    — Josephine Murphy, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pulling out
Verb
  • The Crimson Tide are 5-2 for the season, dropping back-to-back games against Georgia and Tennessee.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Seattle accomplishes this by masterfully disguising defensive assignments before the snap, which can force Mahomes to diagnose where to go with the football only after dropping back.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of dropping back
Verb
  • So does providing liquidity to retiring senior partners and setting up the next generation for success.
    — Will Hausberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The company announced Scott Lovett, president of Go To Market, will be retiring in 2027.
    — Davis Giangiulio,Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of retiring

Browse Nearby Words

backing
backing away
backing down
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Cite this Entry

“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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