back away

verb

backed away; backing away; backs away

intransitive verb

: to move away (as from a stand on an issue or from a commitment)

Examples of back away in a Sentence

backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Officers tell Bill and Sharon Walker to back away from the vehicle, and when Bill Walker refuses to move, the officers place him on the hood of the vehicle and handcuff him. Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2025 Willow begins to whimper, and backs away from the door—but sits promptly down, still staring at it. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 Halloran tried to back away, but one of the bears started heading straight toward him, CNN and Radio New Zealand reported. Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 After a few moments, police officers ordered them to back away from the front row. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for back away

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back away was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20away. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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