BACK AWAY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

back away

verb

Definition of back away

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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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 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 Semiconductors — The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tanked for a fifth day, tumbling nearly 4%, as traders backed away from chip stocks. — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 29 July 2026 The Colorado school testing Mithril's drone, a public charter school called the John Adams Academy, is tapping private funding after the county backed away from providing $200,000 for the program. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Trump has decided, for now, to back away from plans to ramp up attacks on Iran, ⁠The New York Times reported Saturday, citing two people briefed on the discussion. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for back away

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back away

Verb

The Federal Reserve and FDIC withdrew their crypto-asset guidance for banks in April 2025.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The program closed two locations due to the changes and says more than 30 students have withdrawn.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Exxon shares retreated about 2% in premarket trading on Friday as it’s adjusted per-share profit narrowly missed forecasts.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
Our responsibility as university leaders is not to dismiss or retreat from them, but to confront them honestly.

— Daniel Diermeier, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of retreat

Verb

And after a hot start, quarterback Bo Nix has fallen back into inconsistency, with even fewer windows available in Wednesday’s team periods given the absences of his two top receivers in Waddle and Sutton.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026
The youngest brother of Daniel, William and Alec Baldwin characterized at least part of his falling back from Hollywood as a way to free himself from industry expectations.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall back

Verb

But Gunther dropped back down to the mat, forcing Aldis to tap out for the victory.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
But first, dropping back from a low zone along the right sideline, Pettus snared a deep pass intended for Mack Hollins amid a crowd of players.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of drop back

Browse Nearby Words

back-and-forths

back away

backbeat

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“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20away. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of back away

verb

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