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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Burnley’s midfielders shift over in response, while Walker retreats to create the back five Burnley had used to defend the box up to that point.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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The proposal relies on these forces to handle security as the Israeli military gradually withdraws from Gaza.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
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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
Verb
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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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Even if Showgirl falls back tonight and comes out in the high $20Ms (no one is expecting that number), so what?—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
4 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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An American who retires at 65 can expect to live roughly 20 more years, give or take, based on longevity data.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
7 Oct. 2025
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An American who retires at 65 can expect to live roughly 20 more years, give or take, based on longevity data.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backs away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backs%20away. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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