BACKS (UP OR AWAY) Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

backs (up or away)

verb

present tense third-person singular of back (up or away)

as in withdraws

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for backs (up or away)

Verb

If a friend withdraws, reach out softly and offer clear help without pressure.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026
If Miller withdraws by Wednesday, Republicans can hold a special election to replace him on the ballot.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdraws

Verb

As his mind retreats to the hues of old movies, Charlotte breaks the fog with a glimmer of humanity.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
The gunman briefly retreats, then returns to the window and fires inside the restaurant again, injuring a good Samaritan who was trying to help the trooper and render aid to Garibay.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of retreats

Verb

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife said dogfish and other small sharks commonly forage close to shore during the summer and can become trapped near sandbars as the tide recedes, according to ABC6.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026
But when this latest surge plateaus or recedes, the game could well be up.

— Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of recedes

Verb

The first component of the payments, known as the normal cost, is the calculation of how much the public agency and employees must contribute to ensure there are sufficient funds after investment returns to pay pensions when a worker retires.

— Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
The kind that walks out the door when somebody retires or leaves and is extraordinarily slow and expensive to rebuild, if it can be rebuilt at all.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of retires

Verb

When Krem takes off in Kara’s spacecraft, a rusted hulk that’s like an interplanetary RV, and shoots her beloved dog Krypto with a lethal tranquilizer that will result in agonizing death in three days, Kara joins Ruthye on her revenge quest.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026
There is a similar silence after Maggie’s mother takes off.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Definition of takes off

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backs (up)

backs (up or away)

back talk

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Style

“Backs (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backs (up or away)

verb

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