as in to withdraw
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 back away
During an encounter, experts say to maintain eye contact with the animal, try to appear as large as possible, slowly back away without turning your back on the animal and to not run.
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Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Guidance encourages people to speak loudly, remain calm and slowly back away.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
If lions are spotted, make noise to scare them from the area, hold objects overhead to appear bigger and start backing away from the animal.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026
His decision to back away from the White House UFC face-off coincided with the Department of Justice’s latest release of files showcasing images, documents and flight logs tied to Epstein and his wealthy entourage.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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While Microsoft is moving forward with some facilities, the company withdrew plans for a data center in Caledonia, Wisconsin, amid loud opposition to its efforts there.—
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The committee ultimately withdrew its subpoena.—
Verb
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Despite being wounded, Sosa-Celis and the other two men retreated into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.—
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Adolfsson and Stefan, who works as a substitute teacher, plan their grocery shopping trips to the mainland carefully, stocking up before retreating indoors.—
Verb
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The 73-year-old former professional boxer and film star was served an eviction notice last month, People reported, after allegedly falling back on his rent to the tune of $59,100.—
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Temperatures are expected to fall back to more seasonal levels, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s next weekend and into early next week.—
Verb
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Instead, the program will change where the sales tax dollars go — redirecting dollars that would have otherwise been added to the state’s general fund to pay for highways, schools and other services to pay off the project’s debt and retire the bonds.—
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Trent is a high school administrator, while Cheryl, now retired, spent her career as a juvenile probation officer, per Yahoo!—
Verb
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Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025.—
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As Packers quarterback Jordan Love dropped back into the end zone, the pass rush from the Bears started closing in.—
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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