as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
backed away from the snake very slowly and carefully
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 back away
Des Moines is sticking with its electric garbage truck — even as performance glitches slow down service and other agencies back away from electrification.
—
Jason Clayworth, Axios, 22 Apr. 2025
Reuters reports this morning: Major stock indexes plunged on Monday morning as U.S. President Donald Trump showed no sign of backing away from his sweeping tariff plans.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Corporate news Tesla reported disappointing first-quarter results and backed away from its full-year sales growth outlook.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The softer tariff talk comes as Trump backs away from his scathing remarks about Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which had spooked investors.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Jason Clayworth, Axios, 22 Apr. 2025
Reuters reports this morning: Major stock indexes plunged on Monday morning as U.S. President Donald Trump showed no sign of backing away from his sweeping tariff plans.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Corporate news Tesla reported disappointing first-quarter results and backed away from its full-year sales growth outlook.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The softer tariff talk comes as Trump backs away from his scathing remarks about Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, which had spooked investors.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
-
Martin withdrew from consideration for the post that requires Senate confirmation and Trump named him to a Justice Department post instead.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Fisher Scientific withdrew its full-year profit forecast while the medical equipment maker expects to take a $400 million hit in sales to China, as Trump’s tariffs would likely raise the cost of parts the company sources in China.—
Ty Roush,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Trump hasn’t been tapped along because Putin has never retreated from his annexation ends or his savage means.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
24 May 2025
-
The project represents the state’s largest effort to date to address the environmental problems plaguing the Salton Sea, which has been steadily retreating and leaving growing stretches of dusty lake bottom exposed to the desert winds.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
The stock has since fallen back to earth, but even at the current trading price of just under $5, Don Jr.’s 200,000 shares are worth around $1 million.—
Kyle Khan-Mullins,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
But the rate quickly fell back below that level on Thursday — helping the S & P 500 post a four-day winning streak.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
16 May 2025
Verb
-
Mutombo, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer was the NBA’s first global ambassador after retiring in 2009.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, chief diversity officers have been resigning, retiring or getting laid off — and they are not being replaced.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
If the bill doesn't pass, the child tax credit would drop back to $1,000 at the end of this year.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
-
In this example, from their group match against Hungary, Wirtz drops back to receive the ball from his defenders.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share