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
The hopes of people opposed to ICE’s plans rested on the property owners of the warehouses backing away from the deals — but that has failed to happen.
—
Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Finally, the city is now backing away from its idea to charge to drive into Mission Bay Park and is instead looking at other options for solving its budget crisis.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
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
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
Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Finally, the city is now backing away from its idea to charge to drive into Mission Bay Park and is instead looking at other options for solving its budget crisis.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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Lupel continued working to get Dotson’s rape conviction overturned until withdrawing as his attorney in 1986.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
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The group later held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq and began withdrawing its remaining fighters from Turkey.—
Suzan Fraser,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Abel also used the letter to push back on any notion that the sizable cash position signified that Berkshire was retreating from investing.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
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Many advocates and executives are worried the agency may be retreating from the flexible approach regulators have promised in recent years.—
Jason Mast,
STAT,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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If silver trades around $80 today, that would be like silver falling back to $8 per ounce.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The rocket reached an altitude of 224 miles (360 km) before falling back to Earth.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This time, instead of pulling out another clever weapon, Peter walks straight towards his partner, insisting that Hagan has co-opted him for a dirty cause.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
Time,
19 Feb. 2026
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More than half of what scientists are pulling out of that frozen ground has never been cataloged.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Temperatures remain steady in the upper 30s and lower 40s through sunset, before dropping back into the upper 20s and lower 30s as the forecast dries out overnight.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Sunday will bring a lot of sunshine, but the temperature will reach only about 17 degrees before dropping back into the single digits Sunday night.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While retiring isn’t on her mind, Alysa has emphasized the importance of taking breaks in order to advance in your career.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
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With Bozeman retiring, the Chargers will initially save close to $6 million in space, according to Over the Cap.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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