back away
verb
backed away; backing away; backs away
: to move away (as from a stand on an issue or from a commitment)
Synonyms
Examples of back away in a Sentence
backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
Recent Examples on the Web
Monday, hours before the tariffs were to take effect, Trump backed away, agreeing to pause the tariffs for a month, pending negotiations with both cross-border partners.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
When, after a succession of such incidents, Mahler-Werfel backed away, Kokoschka’s mania only escalated.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Relax your shoulders down and back away from your ears.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
Team officials backed away from including Yeti as a finalist after being unable to work out a co-existence agreement with Yeti Coolers to use the name in branding and merchandising.
—John Coon, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back away 
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.
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
When, after a succession of such incidents, Mahler-Werfel backed away, Kokoschka’s mania only escalated.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Relax your shoulders down and back away from your ears.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
Team officials backed away from including Yeti as a finalist after being unable to work out a co-existence agreement with Yeti Coolers to use the name in branding and merchandising.
—John Coon, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for back away
Dictionary Entries Near back away
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20away. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share