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
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—
Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Rather than backing away from these practices, the administration has now publicly doubled down.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
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
After initially backing away, the boy stabbed Gutierrez three times, authorities said.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026
As officers yell for Martinez to stop, Stevens pulls his weapon and rapidly fires three shots through the window before quickly backing away.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Rather than backing away from these practices, the administration has now publicly doubled down.
—Amanda Cats-Baril, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2026
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
After initially backing away, the boy stabbed Gutierrez three times, authorities said.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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Consider withdrawing $150,000 to buy the land then, wait to pull the next $150,000 in the next year.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Spurs imploded away to Atletico, also losing 5-2 and withdrawing their goalkeeper after going three down in 15 minutes.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Petrie-Norris chairs the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee and has helped lead legislative efforts to stabilize California’s fuels market without retreating from goals to achieve carbon neutrality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Actresses from Lauren Bacall to Marlene Dietrich to Claudette Colbert stopped in, socializing with rock stars and politicians before retreating to unusually large rooms protected by an unusually discreet staff.—
Ben Ryder Howe,
Air Mail,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sunday will see a return to cooler air, with highs falling back into the 40s to 50s, closer to late March averages.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
In 2025, things got even worse, with the team falling back to seventh after being overtaken by Williams and the Racing Bulls.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On Wednesday afternoon, a driver pulling out of the McDonald's drive-thru across the street lost control, jumped the curb, sped through two bike racks, and right into the storefront on North Milwaukee and Sawyer Avenue.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
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As service begins at a fine dining restaurant’s Los Angeles residency, allegations of the chef’s abusive workplace practices have resurfaced, sparking backlash, protests and major sponsors like American Express and dining concierge startup Blackbird pulling out.—
Shindy Chen
March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tree pollen in Austin is forecast to be very high on Wednesday, then climb to extreme levels Thursday through Saturday, before dropping back to very high on Sunday and Monday.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
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Jefferson Lerma performed reasonably well after dropping back from midfield, is strong in the air and offers experience despite it not being his primary position, but his hamstring injury against Burnley on February 11 meant even fewer options.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two other House members are retiring after long careers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Hastings City Council has appointed a new police chief to replace Chief David Wilske who is retiring.—
Kristi Miller,
Twin Cities,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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