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 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 Trump responded by threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum before both sides backed away. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 With officers initially unable to determine what had happened inside, police backed away, established a perimeter and treated the home as a barricaded situation. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Disney subsequently backed away from its demands and started to sell 30-second berths for $8 million to $9 million, according to people familiar with the talks. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 There was no hint of trouble in weather or sky as the thirty-foot trolling boat Roamer cast off her lines, backed away from the dock, and moved out across Munising Bay. — James D. Oxley, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026 After questioning Comey and his wife, the Secret Service backed away from opening a full investigation. — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 As Rocket Lab’s Puma backed away, True Anomaly’s Jackal executed more burns to reengage and image its prey. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away
  1. withdrew
  2. retreated
  3. retired
  4. dropped back
  5. pulled out
Verb
  • Fritz advanced to the final in 2024, but was defeated by Jannik Sinner (who just withdrew from the 2026 US Open with a knee injury) at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, the DSA’s national political committee withdrew its conditional endorsement of her reelection, citing disagreements over Israel and Gaza, among other issues.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of withdrew
Verb
  • Lake Washington is a 200-foot-deep trough carved by glaciers that retreated 16,000 years ago.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Galliano retreated from public life for two years and was found guilty by a Paris court of public insults based on religion, race and ethnicity.
    — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of retreated
Verb
  • Anthony Gose, who was just recalled on the road trip, retired five consecutive batters.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Following the Channel 4/HBO sketch comedy show Da Ali G Show (2000-’04) and the 2002 Universal movie Ali G Indahouse, Cohen temporarily retired the character in 2007.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of retired
Verb
  • Taylor dropped back three steps and arced a jump ball into the corner over Barron and into the mitts of Sheppard, who appeared to scrape both toes along the turf before the Broncos’ stopper shoved him out of bounds.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Twins came into the series tied with Texas for the American League's third wild card but have dropped back into a traffic jam outside the final postseason berth.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of dropped back
Verb
  • And think about Afghanistan as well, a huge military advantage there, but as US forces were finally being pulled out of there, the Taliban were once again taking control.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • One recent morning, four county cars pulled out of that motel on Sierra Highway.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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