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
Clinton was the last candidate Buffett backed publicly, before backing away from politics and other controversial topics for fear of hurting Berkshire's businesses.
—
CBS News, 3 May 2025
Other media reports on Tuesday suggested Bezos backed away from the idea after speaking with Trump.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025
In a time when debates over teaching Black history are raging across the country, even the perception that major institutions could be quietly backing away from civil rights history feels alarming.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
The Legislature on Friday formally sent about 60 bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis, including a measure that would back away from a requirement about starting high-school classes later in the morning.
—News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
CBS News, 3 May 2025
Other media reports on Tuesday suggested Bezos backed away from the idea after speaking with Trump.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025
In a time when debates over teaching Black history are raging across the country, even the perception that major institutions could be quietly backing away from civil rights history feels alarming.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
The Legislature on Friday formally sent about 60 bills to Gov. Ron DeSantis, including a measure that would back away from a requirement about starting high-school classes later in the morning.
—News Service Of Florida, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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After launching a proxy fight for two board seats, this campaign came to a head when Engine withdrew their director nominations on May 8.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
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President Trump plans to withdraw his nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of Elon Musk’s, who was on track to be the next NASA administrator.—
Jonathan Swan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Also, market reaction to further tariff moves may cause Trump to retreat to the point that the effect of any tariff actions is fairly nominal.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
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The soldiers fired warning shots and then opened fire when the suspects would not retreat, according to the IDF.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2025
Verb
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But in the fifth set, when everything was on the line, Paul mixed in just enough slices and sharp angles, while Khachanov fell back to his flat, grunting power, which has its limits in these parts.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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The spacecraft fell back to Earth in an uncontrolled tumble over the Indian Ocean.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Mutombo, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was the NBA’s first global ambassador after retiring in 2009.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Trusty, Lady and the Tramp (1955) Lady's neighbor Trusty is a bloodhound who once helped track down criminals, but now he's retired and, tragically, appears to have lost his sense of smell.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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From there, the hike drops back down to the edge of the cliffs above the ocean.—
Graham Averill,
Outside Online,
30 May 2025
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The phase-out begins at $250,000 of income for single filers and $500,000 for joint filers, and the deduction eventually drops back to $10,000 for the highest earners.—
Robert Green,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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