backed away

verb

past tense of back away
as in withdrew
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 backed away McBride backed away, noticed a nearby broadcast camera, and pointed directly at the lens to signal the interaction was captured live. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 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 Some progressives, including Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez, have backed away from their earlier support of police defunding. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026 Family offices were able to make opportunistic plays in oil and gas in the years after the Covid pandemic as traditional investors backed away from the sector due to pressure from environmentally conscious stakeholders. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026 And the Justice Department has backed away from the federal government’s long-standing interpretation of a landmark Supreme Court ruling protecting the right of disabled people to receive services in their communities. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026 Traditional fashion media may have backed away from harsh sartorial criticism, but the internet certainly hasn’t. — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026 Pomares backed away, avoiding what could have become another dangerous encounter. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
  1. withdrew
  2. retreated
  3. retired
  4. dropped back
  5. pulled out
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Then Underwood dropped back, stepped up, rolled right and threw a long touchdown pass to Buchanan for a 19-14 lead.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Local favorite Tom Vaillant, a two-time winner on the smaller Alps Tour but still looking for his first European tour title, started the day second but dropped back to finish joint-third along with three other players after a final-day 70.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of dropped back
Verb
  • Four months after returning with The Boys of Dungeon Lane, Paul McCartney, never short of songs, has pulled out a handful more.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Then, Canton allegedly pulled out a Glock 9mm handgun and shot Jones twice.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of pulled out

Browse Nearby Words

backed
backed away
backed down
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Cite this Entry

“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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