as in retreats
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 backs away
Finally, the board will have the good sense to just snap their host laptop shut, but not before a wickedly riotous 10 minutes or so in which absolutely no one backs away from the keyboard.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
At first, the bison ignores him, but eventually approaches the man, who quickly backs away to keep a safe distance.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
At first, the bison ignores him, but eventually approaches the man, who quickly backs away to keep a safe distance.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 24 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs away
Verb
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Rest & Relaxation follows Amandeep (Mani), who in seeking solace on the brink of a life-changing decision, retreats to a secluded bed and breakfast where the eclectic guests challenge her preconceptions of family.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
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Camilla lives at Ray Mill most of the time, while Charles retreats to Highgrove or Clarence House.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If America now withdraws from its leadership role in diplomatic efforts to end the war, the bloodshed will only continue.—
Dmytro Razumkov,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
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Cabaret is cutting its Broadway run short as star Billy Porter withdraws from the production.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart drops back to pass during the second half.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 Sep. 2025
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Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins drops back in the second quarter during the NFL 2025 game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Visiting cargo spacecraft — historically Russia's Progress spacecraft — typically push the ISS higher from the Earth's orbit periodically, when the facility naturally falls back to the planet.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
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Over millions of years, the gas that was pushed out falls back in, and the warm gas cools again.—
Shreejaya Karantha,
Space.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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However, a new study by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland has found that the mental health benefits of retirement aren’t guaranteed to everyone who retires.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
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Knott’s typically adds two new mazes and retires two old mazes every year.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backs away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs%20away. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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