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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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In December 2023, Congress passed a National Defense Authorization Act that aimed to block any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval from the Senate or an act of Congress.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024 -
Diddy is expected to return to court on March 17 and will spend the holiday season behind bars after withdrawing his appeal for bail.—
Emma Aerin Becker,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Three top concerns include elections and political turmoil that threaten progress, companies retreating or staying silent on DEI and ESG goals, and the rise of sustainability reporting that’s (temporarily) taking up companies’ time.—
Andrew Winston,
Harvard Business Review,
20 Dec. 2024
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Deporting millions of immigrants and retreating from global trade by implementing slogans like America First will not achieve these goals.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Among them, Oakland, California, whose voters recalled Mayor Sheng Thao in November, will hold a special election on April 15 that could feature a retiring member of Congress.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
6 Jan. 2025
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Finally, accelerated demand led by corporate refugees is being met by a steady supply of businesses from retiring baby boomers.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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