BACKED (UP OR AWAY) Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

backed (up or away)

verb

past tense of back (up or away)

as in retired

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed (up or away)

Verb

Romo, a four-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL in 2017 after 14 years as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

— Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
In fact, since Solomon became CEO, Goldman has retired over 21% of its total share count, significantly more than its competitors.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of retired

Verb

In the past two years, a record number of 4,137 Japanese companies fully withdrew from China, according to Teikoku’s data.

— Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
The president withdrew consideration for a ban after the Group of Seven agreed last week to release up to 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from its emergency stocks.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Lopez then ran away, and Hager fired his Taser stun gun at him, but the shock didn’t incapacitate him, according to the sheriff’s office.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
On Wednesday, Tampa International Airport police were called to step in when Milania, 20, reportedly became emotional and ran away from her reality star mom, older sister, Gia Giudice, and a counselor traveling with the family.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of ran away

Verb

On Friday, stocks rallied as yields retreated, following a surprisingly weak September jobs report that suggested the Federal Reserve may stay on hold at this month’s policy meeting.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
The militant group took over roughly one-third of Iraq after key Iraqi army divisions collapsed and retreated in the onslaught.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

Some months later, the organization discovers how much judgment and context walked out with him, and the person themselves discovers that nobody prepared them for a life without the work.

— Vikas Arora, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
His speech was met with cheers from the crowd while others reportedly walked out during his performance.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of walked out

Verb

Repairs on the zapped elevators were delayed for days while the floodwaters receded.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Water levels dropping so precipitously threaten entire Western communities and economies, but many can’t help but be awed by how quickly Glen Canyon has recovered ecologically as the water receded.

— Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of receded

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backed (up)

backed (up or away)

backer

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“Backed (up or away).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20%28up%20or%20away%29. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of backed (up or away)

verb

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