BACK AWAY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

back away

verb

Definition of back away

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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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 Prices for diesel, the workhorse fuel that powers trucks, tractors, trains and construction vehicles, hit all-time highs last month but has since backed away a bit. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Mamdani made a rent freeze one of his signature issues on the campaign trail, but has backed away from making many public statements about it as mayor, under the threat of legal action. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026 Heim held out his arms in self-defense while trying to back away and de-escalate the situation. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026 Some progressives, including Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez, have backed away from their earlier support of police defunding. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for back away

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away

Verb

On Monday, Chinese manufacturer Kepuni Holdings withdrew plans for a Nasdaq listing that had been expected to raise $15 million.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
In these situations, withdrawing into a literal or symbolic dark room—avoiding sources of stress and going to a safe place—can be adaptive in the short term.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Longtime collaborator Erik Blood foregrounds Butler’s dry drum machines in the mix, letting every other element shuffle around them, snaking toward the spotlight for a brief moment and retreating back into the brume.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
If broadcaster partnerships are helping Netflix expand its offering in Europe and Latin America, India shows why the streamer is unlikely to retreat from investing in local originals.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

Heavner dropped back before finding a hole up the middle for a 27-yard TD run before the Chippewas again took the lead 24-21 on Jadyn Glasser's 9-yard TD pass to Langston Lewis in the third quarter's final minute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
The Crimson Tide are 5-2 for the season, dropping back-to-back games against Georgia and Tennessee.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of drop back

Browse Nearby Words

back-and-forths

back away

backbeat

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“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of back away

verb

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