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
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
Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 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
See All Example Sentences for back away
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.
—Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 20 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
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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In September 2025, the City Council voted to explore whether Los Angeles could withdraw all legally allowable homelessness funding from LAHSA and instead contract with the county’s new homelessness department.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The many attending assistants around her eventually disperse — a little hesitantly because Sam is in the middle of preparing a new show — and the two withdraw to Sam’s cavernous studio.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Coe reportedly was hospitalized several years ago with Covid-19 and had mostly retreated from public appearances since then, though it is not known whether Covid played a part in his passing.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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Or, retreat to peaceful Bluffside Gardens with ultramodern cabins that offer direct trail access.—
Sarah Miller,
Midwest Living,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That Dalglish’s vast contribution in Liverpool’s domination of English football over the previous decade would have helped him in sticky spots is a reminder that Slot has little to fall back on.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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If the resolution is unfavorable to the community groups — who are also backed by the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg — that frustration will fall back on somebody, Bokhari said.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Mary Brown retired after coaching boys and girls volleyball in the district for 19 years, including the past eight years with the Knights’ boys team.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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But, after the couple retired and migrated south to Mexico City, Hurst dove back into photography with gusto, until his death, from cancer, in 2023.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Brent crude oil futures drop back down to $65 to $70 per barrel, Conde said, prices at the pump could also lessen.—
Hali Smith
April 24,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
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The rain will be widespread on Saturday as high temperatures drop back down into the 50s.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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