as in withdrew
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 backed away
But there are clear signs that Miller has not backed away from his own views on immigration—including on H-2B visas.
—
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
After several hours of station-keeping, Gemini 6—commanded by Wally Schirra, alongside rookie astronaut Tom Stafford—backed away, and began easing down to a lower orbit, preparing to reenter.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 May 2026
Local governments across Florida have received letters from the state Department of Commerce declaring their comprehensive plan amendments since August 2024 to be null and void, have been sued or have backed away from planning changes to avoid legal peril.
—Haley Busch, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
The Georgia General Assembly tried to face the issue this year but backed away at the last minute from a bill that almost passed.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Between 2002 and 2003, the IRS flirted with building a free online filing system and then backed away, in part owing to private tax preparers that didn’t want to lose their grip on the process.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
However, many prior vocal GOP advocates for doing so have since backed away from demanding such a measure.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2026
Lopez clarified on Friday that the agency had informed Cal Fire on how to obtain search warrants with the county, but then backed away.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Since the pandemic, private equity funds and other institutional investors have backed away from oil and gas in part due to pressure from environmentally conscious stakeholders.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
After several hours of station-keeping, Gemini 6—commanded by Wally Schirra, alongside rookie astronaut Tom Stafford—backed away, and began easing down to a lower orbit, preparing to reenter.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 May 2026
Local governments across Florida have received letters from the state Department of Commerce declaring their comprehensive plan amendments since August 2024 to be null and void, have been sued or have backed away from planning changes to avoid legal peril.
—Haley Busch, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026
The Georgia General Assembly tried to face the issue this year but backed away at the last minute from a bill that almost passed.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Between 2002 and 2003, the IRS flirted with building a free online filing system and then backed away, in part owing to private tax preparers that didn’t want to lose their grip on the process.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2026
However, many prior vocal GOP advocates for doing so have since backed away from demanding such a measure.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2026
Lopez clarified on Friday that the agency had informed Cal Fire on how to obtain search warrants with the county, but then backed away.
—Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Since the pandemic, private equity funds and other institutional investors have backed away from oil and gas in part due to pressure from environmentally conscious stakeholders.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
Verb
-
Indeed, Paramount+ withdrew from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland in 2022 to make way for SkyShowtime.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
-
After the student protests against him, Schapiro withdrew from giving his speech at Georgetown.—
Jonathan Zimmerman,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the last four years, carriers have retreated from the state entirely or have paused writing new policies.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
In an attempt to spark inspiration for a new Little Death origin story, Kris pays a visit to the present-day Billy, played by a regal, knowing Gillian Anderson, who retreated from public life after that first installment and whom Kris hopes to persuade to appear in her reboot.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Globally, 60% of outgoing CFOs retired or moved to the board in Q1, up from 56% the same time last year and well above the seven-year Q1 average of 39%.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
-
Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons.—
Rick Stroud,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Once the clearance dropped back toward the edge of the area, however, his focus immediately shifted from defending the cross to protecting the goal.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
The price later dropped back down.—
Tiago Ventura,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Still, dozens of drivers crept around the lot, hoping to pounce if someone pulled out.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Last year, the Justice Department pulled out of a Section 2 lawsuit over the voting map for the county's board of commissioners, whose members are all white.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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