See the Dictionary Definition 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backing (up or away)
Verb
-
In the original version, Sue just starts running away screaming because the head explodes.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026 -
Liza Demming, a neighbor who lives two houses down from the residence where most victims were shot, told The Associated Press that her security camera captured video of the gunman running away and the sounds of two shots.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement on social media, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said that beginning in December 2025, the suspect targeted multiple Home Depot and Lowe's stores across the county and neighboring counties, walking out of the stores primarily with high-value items such as power tools.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The strike, the third this year from the pilots’ union, covers Lufthansa’s mainline airline, its cargo unit and regional carrier CityLine, while pilots at low-cost carrier Eurowings are walking out only on Monday.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Since 2016, federal officials allege, Meade has been trying to avoid paying the tax obligation through a number of tactics, which include withdrawing large sums of cash and purchasing cashier’s checks from his business accounts.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Legitimate companies do not walk you through withdrawing cash, using crypto ATMs or buying gold to solve a problem.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Castillo needed 30 pitches to get out of the inning, but limited the damage by retiring Buxton on a pop fly, leaving the bases loaded.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Since retiring in 2022, she's been an outspoken advocate for mothers in professional sports and beyond.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That ambiguity has encouraged some investors and companies to believe that the era of geopolitics dominating cross-border economic activity may be receding.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Water is receding, but Narsesian said levels are still high and the ice still is out there.—
Sarah Brumfield,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the arm of the sofa, where he had been seated just minutes before retreating into his bedroom for a few minutes of shut-eye, was a block of brown and white ice.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Large investors flip to net sellers Larger investors are already retreating from the single-family market.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Charged with pulling out of Mary the hurt inside, Coel exquisitely performs the task with the precision of an elite surgeon.—
Jake Coyle,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Madrid Open is losing some star power with Carlos Alcaraz joining Novak Djokovic in pulling out of the upcoming clay-court tournament Friday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Witnesses told officers that, inside the venue, Jones and Viswanath got into a physical fight that prompted private security to start clearing out the space, according to the Arlington Police Department.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Chris Boozer, owner of The Trash Porters in Wilmington, spends his days clearing out homes and businesses.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Backing (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backing%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
