back away

verb

Definition of back awaynext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 For nearly two agonizing minutes, the bear runs toward her then backs away, rearing up on its hind legs several times, revealing its massive size. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026 With sunbeams gleaming downward, reflecting off of the spacecraft's hull, the Dragon can be seen backing away from the station mere moments after undocking from the port on the station's Harmony module. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 23 June 2026 Concerns about traumatic brain injuries, underscored by tragedies in which chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is cited as the cause, caused families to back away from football. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Comcast, with its strategic pivot, aims to back away from a combination of content and pay-TV distribution under one roof just as its cable broadband business faces intensifying competition. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
  1. withdraw
  2. retreat
  3. fall back
  4. retire
  5. drop back
Verb
  • About 71 percent of the SPAC’s cash pool stayed in the merger rather than being withdrawn by investors.
    — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • This means they can be revised or withdrawn without legislation.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • Once again, Brazil’s midfield is quickly retreating towards their own goal as Morocco pile forward.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • Moreover, the shock of higher prices is still fresh in people's minds and may be coloring consumers' purchasing decisions, despite signs that prices should retreat further.
    — Zev Fima,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 July 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • When panting alone cannot shed enough heat, dogs fall back on shade.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Spending on consumer fireworks nearly doubled between 2019 and 2020, according to APA figures, and hasn’t fallen back to pre-Covid levels since.
    — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of fall back
Verb
  • Six days after the Yankees' first 15 batters couldn't get a hit off Bennett, the lanky left-hander retired the Angels' first 13 batters before Vaughn Grissom's fifth-inning single.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • Six days after the Yankees’ first 15 batters couldn’t get a hit off Bennett, the lanky left-hander retired the Angels’ first 13 batters before Vaughn Grissom’s fifth-inning single.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of retire
Verb
  • The Dream fell to the Seattle Storm 105-90 on Saturday after dropping back-to-back games to the Golden State Valkyries — 77-66 on June 24 and 78-75 on June 26.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Advocaat threw his arms in the air, dropped back into his seat, and wept again.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of drop back

Browse Nearby Words

back-and-forths
back away
backbeat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Nglish: Translation of back away for Spanish Speakers

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