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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back away
Biden previously received some pushback from Catholics for backing away from taking on the death penalty when Attorney General Merrick Garland pursued the death penalty in the case of the shooter at a Buffalo supermarket in 2022, which was a first for the administration.
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Ella Lee, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
Still reeling with all sorts of emotions, William backs away from Jamie.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
The meme-stock craze of 2021 pitted retail investors against hedge funds, causing some professional investors to back away from short selling.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
When Holiday backed away from him and Porzingis lingered near the lane, Sabonis let one fly, too.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back away 
Ella Lee, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024
Still reeling with all sorts of emotions, William backs away from Jamie.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 18 Jan. 2025
The meme-stock craze of 2021 pitted retail investors against hedge funds, causing some professional investors to back away from short selling.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
When Holiday backed away from him and Porzingis lingered near the lane, Sabonis let one fly, too.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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Moicano stepped in on weigh-in day when Makhachev’s initial opponent, Arman Tsarukyan withdrew with a back injury.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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More than 25 players jumped into the transfer portal over his departure, which caused Marshall to withdraw from the game.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As President Trump pushes aggressively to reshape the federal government, Democrats have retreated into a political crouch that reflects their powerlessness in Washington.—
Reid J. Epstein,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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The controversy surrounding Costco's DEI initiatives comes as several major U.S. corporations have retreated from similar programs, fearing legal and reputational risks.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Travelers have fallen back in love with trains and the proliferation of new services means a rail odyssey across Europe is easier to plan than ever.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 116-107 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night at Kaseya Center to close its three-game homestand at 1-2 and fall back to .500.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Image: Intel On Monday, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger abruptly decided to retire after less than four years on the job.—
Verge Staff,
The Verge,
28 Jan. 2025
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But Havenstein just completed his 10th season and could decide to retire.—
Adam Grosbard,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The bitcoin price surged to an all-time high on Monday but has dropped back alongside Trump's new memecoin.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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The Ravens dropped back to pass 26 more times the rest of the game.—
Joe Buscaglia,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near back away
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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