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
Prescott and Carter exchanged words after the opening kickoff, and Carter spit on Prescott’s jersey before backing away.
—
Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
After backing away from a controversial logo rebrand loudly opposed by many right-wing influencers, Cracker Barrel also quietly made changes to its website this week.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s how desperate Maye was, rolling right and then backing away from pressure on fourth down with the clock ticking under 15 seconds on his last snap of the day.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
After backing away from a controversial logo rebrand loudly opposed by many right-wing influencers, Cracker Barrel also quietly made changes to its website this week.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
That’s how desperate Maye was, rolling right and then backing away from pressure on fourth down with the clock ticking under 15 seconds on his last snap of the day.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing away
Verb
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The 4% rule traditionally involves withdrawing 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement and then adjusting the rate in subsequent years for inflation.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
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The reaction to this was dynamic, which for some meant withdrawing from opportunities and for others contributed to burnout and decisions to leave their jobs altogether.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With a signature bright plum lip and highlight in her hair, Williams, 61, kept her people close but didn't shy away from the camera, allowing the fashion week photogs to capture her for a solid 15 minutes before retreating to one of the presentation's regal showrooms.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
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That is because buyers have been retreating from the market due to ongoing affordability issues, including still-rising home prices, historically elevated mortgage rates, and growing economic concern linked to government policies.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ellison briefly became the second-ever person to cross the $400 billion mark, before falling back down to $388 billion by late afternoon.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The initial velocity an object would have to travel at to avoid falling back to the ground is called the escape velocity.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Surveillance video shows Cobos-Martinez leaving the motel room, pulling out a machete and attacking Nagamallaiah.—
Nic F. Anderson,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Good on Iain for pulling out two miracles in one show.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some backups go through every tiny detail of the pre and at-snap routine, even dropping back with a ball in their hand but stopping short of throwing it.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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As moisture increases later this week, a cooling trend will commence with temperatures dropping back into the normal range by Friday.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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HawaiianMiles joins Atmos Rewards on October 1, officially retiring the legacy program.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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JetBlue is retiring the E190s for more fuel-efficient planes with modern amenities.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backing away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20away. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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