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
And so our coalition, early in Johnson’s administration, met with the mayor and deputy mayor to establish the office through ordinance; since October 2024, the mayor has backed away from the effort and remained silent and nonresponsive about this necessary strategy.
—
Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The unidentified man backed away from Martin, still chewing the cigarette, and waved to the camera before the broadcast cut away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
The following week, the benchmark climbed more than 5% as the White House backed away from the most aggressive proposals.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
After a short struggle, Delgado backed away from Broom, pulled his gun from his holster and ordered her to drop the knife, according to the report.
—David Goodhue
march 9, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Since the drawing of that second majority-black district, the state has backed away from that map, hoping to return to a plan that provides for only one majority-minority district.
—Zoe Sobel, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
While some of the most powerful companies that once championed their diversity policies have now backed away from them and most have scrapped references to DEI, diversity advocates say many of the core policies continue today.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Town officials eventually stopped paying the fee and tribal officials threatened, but ultimately backed away, from barricading the roads again in early 2025.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The unidentified man backed away from Martin, still chewing the cigarette, and waved to the camera before the broadcast cut away.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2026
The following week, the benchmark climbed more than 5% as the White House backed away from the most aggressive proposals.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
After a short struggle, Delgado backed away from Broom, pulled his gun from his holster and ordered her to drop the knife, according to the report.
—David Goodhue
march 9, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Since the drawing of that second majority-black district, the state has backed away from that map, hoping to return to a plan that provides for only one majority-minority district.
—Zoe Sobel, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
While some of the most powerful companies that once championed their diversity policies have now backed away from them and most have scrapped references to DEI, diversity advocates say many of the core policies continue today.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
Town officials eventually stopped paying the fee and tribal officials threatened, but ultimately backed away, from barricading the roads again in early 2025.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
Verb
-
In the face of growing opposition generated in part by allegations of his misconduct, Gaetz withdrew.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the south, Lebanese Army tanks withdrew as Israeli ones rolled in.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Neither side has retreated from their maximalist claims, signaling that talks could be protracted.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Dion had retreated from performing after revealing she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological and autoimmune disorder that affects mobility and vocal ability.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In 2001, the couple, who did not have children, retired to Miami in search of warmer beaches.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The vast majority of Fuller voters were white, older and retired, and were not spending much of their time driving in their day-to-day lives.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The enlistment age was dropped back to 35 in 2016.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point, Mallach pulled out a pen and made two drawings on a napkin.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Porter pulled out prior to interviewing with Johnson and a community panel.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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