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
If bees begin circling or bumping into you, treat it as a warning and back away immediately.
—
Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
But with the country’s economy in free fall, his government had little choice but to back away from its Marxist orthodoxies.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The suspect slowed to a stop near what looked to be a homeless encampment near Bellingham Avenue, Vantage Avenue and Sylvan Street in North Hollywood, at which point an unknown woman approached the passenger side of the car until police told her to back away.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Medical groups representing doctors and patients were dismayed at the agency's decision to back away from tougher regulation of the devices, which are available at tanning salons and some major gym chains.
—Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026
But with the country’s economy in free fall, his government had little choice but to back away from its Marxist orthodoxies.
—Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
The suspect slowed to a stop near what looked to be a homeless encampment near Bellingham Avenue, Vantage Avenue and Sylvan Street in North Hollywood, at which point an unknown woman approached the passenger side of the car until police told her to back away.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Medical groups representing doctors and patients were dismayed at the agency's decision to back away from tougher regulation of the devices, which are available at tanning salons and some major gym chains.
—Will Stone, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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In the face of growing opposition generated in part by allegations of his misconduct, Gaetz withdrew.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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Each retiree withdraws $50,000 per year.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The challenge is not to retreat from circulation, but to insist that circulation be thought through, grounded in specific places and their conditions, and accountable, open to friction, contamination, and transformation rather than insulated coherence.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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The neighborhood/area Upscale with large avenues, grand villas, and plenty of greenery, Parioli’s the perfect place to retreat to after a day’s sightseeing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tuesday will be noticeably cooler, with highs falling back into the 40s and low 50s and drier conditions returning late.—
Joseph Dames,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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And many middle-aged adults were already enrolled in the lowest-cost plans available, which leaves them without cheaper options to fall back on, said Matt McGough, a policy analyst with KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.—
Tribune News Service,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But with Graves set to retire and not seek reelection, Kansas City stands on the brink of losing a seat at one of the most important tables in Congress.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jose Franco retired five batters before leaving with two on.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Saturday's temperatures drop back into the 30s, with a high of 38 in the metro and 32 in northern Minnesota.—
April 4,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The Longhorns are the one team in the Final Four that has had a two-game losing streak, dropping back-to-back games to LSU and South Carolina in mid-January.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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