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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backing away
With sunbeams gleaming downward, reflecting off of the spacecraft's hull, the Dragon can be seen backing away from the station mere moments after undocking from the port on the station's Harmony module.
—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
23 June 2026
Big Oil is not backing away from renewables because the energy transition has stopped.
—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
21 June 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,
20 June 2026
Body-camera video shows an officer backing away.
—
City News Service,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
So far, however, Manhattan’s wealthiest buyers don’t appear to be backing away.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
Six years later, several governments are backing away from their commitments.
—
Andres Clarens,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
Despite the carnage, traders aren't backing away from this space.
—
Tyler Bailey,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Instead, officials advised making loud noises, making your body appear bigger while slowly backing away, and calling 911 immediately if a person is attacked.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
23 June 2026
Big Oil is not backing away from renewables because the energy transition has stopped.
—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
21 June 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,
20 June 2026
Body-camera video shows an officer backing away.
—
City News Service,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
So far, however, Manhattan’s wealthiest buyers don’t appear to be backing away.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
Six years later, several governments are backing away from their commitments.
—
Andres Clarens,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
Despite the carnage, traders aren't backing away from this space.
—
Tyler Bailey,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Instead, officials advised making loud noises, making your body appear bigger while slowly backing away, and calling 911 immediately if a person is attacked.
—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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Serena Williams is withdrawing from Wimbledon doubles competition after injuring her knee at the tournament earlier this week.
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In an interview with The Sacramento Bee Wednesday, the labor leader behind Proposition 40 accused Newsom of failing to propose any alternative ahead of the June 25 deadline for withdrawing ballot measures.
Verb
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Rather than retreating into defensive shape after losing possession, teams are immediately attempting to recover the ball high up the pitch.
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Officials said the dog's owner attempted to use bear spray while retreating from the area but was unsuccessful.
Verb
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But now Swift is falling back to Earth on a trajectory at an increasing rate and will burn up in our atmosphere soon, if nothing is done.
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SpaceX posted huge gains after a record-breaking IPO on June 12, briefly surpassing Amazon and Microsoft in market capitalization, before falling back below both as sentiment cooled.
Verb
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Kramer agreed, crediting facility partners at Sporting Kansas City, the KC Current, the University of Kansas and the $20-million Swope Soccer Village for pulling out the stops to attract the world’s best teams.
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An unidentified man wearing blue basketball shorts and a Knicks hat was spotted in a video obtained by ABC News getting down on one knee, pulling out a red box and holding up a ring.
Verb
-
The Dream fell to the Seattle Storm 105-90 on Saturday after dropping back-to-back games to the Golden State Valkyries — 77-66 on June 24 and 78-75 on June 26.
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The Griz constantly pumps the rod to get his bait darting forward and then dropping back.
Verb
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Two Latinos are running in this year’s election to replace Councilmember Curren Price, who is Black and retiring after serving the maximum three terms.
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Assistant County Administrator Bridgette Cobbins, who has worked for the Unified Government for three decades, is also retiring.
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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