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
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Recent Examples of back away
This delay could provide the administration with an opportunity to back away from its campaign promises without losing face.
—
Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Monday, hours before the tariffs were to take effect, Trump backed away, agreeing to pause the tariffs for a month, pending negotiations with both cross-border partners.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
When, after a succession of such incidents, Mahler-Werfel backed away, Kokoschka’s mania only escalated.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Relax your shoulders down and back away from your ears.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Monday, hours before the tariffs were to take effect, Trump backed away, agreeing to pause the tariffs for a month, pending negotiations with both cross-border partners.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
When, after a succession of such incidents, Mahler-Werfel backed away, Kokoschka’s mania only escalated.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Relax your shoulders down and back away from your ears.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away
Verb
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Another clash is set to play out at the U.N. on Monday after the U.S. proposed a competing resolution that lacks the same demands as one from Ukraine and the European Union for Moscow’s forces to immediately withdraw from the country.—
Matthew Lee and Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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At the 2001 event Venus withdrew with a knee injury,.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Crypto stocks — Stocks linked to the price of bitcoin fell after the cryptocurrency retreated around 3% to hover around the $80,000 level.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
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From rollbacks on reproductive rights in the U.S. to the dismantling of environmental protections and the amplification of xenophobia, governments are retreating from their responsibilities to protect vulnerable communities and future generations.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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And the operating income fell back to $ 129 million, against a year-earlier $404 million.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
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Shiffrin generally falls back on her desire to drive her sport to new heights and inspire the next generation.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Mining engineering programs have been closing in both Europe and North America, and the generation of senior mining executives who helped build mines globally during the commodities boom is retiring.—
Anthony Milewski,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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In reality, the Padres are bound to San Diego by contract until 2034, 30 years after Petco Park opened, or until the city’s bond debt is scheduled to be retired in 2032.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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At times, James also looked confused as to whether to push ahead or drop back and protect his defence, which contributed to Villa’s midfield dictating proceedings.—
Simon Johnson,
The Athletic,
22 Feb. 2025
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Daniels dropped back to pass and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusty tight end, whose second touchdown of the night was the game-winner.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
30 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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