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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of back away
However, Gascón could still back away from that plan in the next few hours due to sharp divisions in his office, individuals close to events caution of the fickle prosecutor.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Season 2, which premieres this week after a 19-month hiatus due to last year’s strikes, backs away from this basic foundation, leaving a story that’s just as tonally muddled but even less focused.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024
Unwilling to pay the price of backing away, the Biden administration wound up committing the United States more deeply to the Middle East, including by proposing a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia and sending aircraft carriers and 6,000 additional U.S. personnel to the region.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024
The Philippines, a longtime U.S. ally, has been critical of other ASEAN countries for not doing more to get China to back away.
—Eileen Ng and Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back away 
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024
Season 2, which premieres this week after a 19-month hiatus due to last year’s strikes, backs away from this basic foundation, leaving a story that’s just as tonally muddled but even less focused.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024
Unwilling to pay the price of backing away, the Biden administration wound up committing the United States more deeply to the Middle East, including by proposing a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia and sending aircraft carriers and 6,000 additional U.S. personnel to the region.
—Christopher S. Chivvis, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2024
The Philippines, a longtime U.S. ally, has been critical of other ASEAN countries for not doing more to get China to back away.
—Eileen Ng and Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
-
There are vague references to Wyler’s work in Kabul and Beirut and her concerns for Afghan women after the U.S. withdrew from the country.Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The day after the deal, the United States government offered to withdraw sanctions on Venezuelan oil, gas, sovereign bonds and gold.Tirana Hassan, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Seasoned diplomats worry that retreating from that posture would enable autocrats around the world, including Vladimir Putin and his aims of Russian expansionism.Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
-
The crowds had retreated to their cabins and RVs, the click of cameras replaced by the trill of crickets.Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
During the latest quarter, national advertising revenue fell back to $46.8 million, compared to $52 million in the third quarter of 2023.Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Our clocks will fall back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Gendron came aboard in 2012 and expects to retire within two years.Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Some, including White, have called for Weidman to retire, but the fan-favorite fighter has continued his career.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Since that overthrow to Marvin Mims Jr., Nix has dropped back 52 times on third down without a turnover.Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
-
By Tuesday morning, however, Bitcoin had dropped back to around $86,000.Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
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 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share