BACKED AWAY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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 backed away About 10 seconds after the first officer approached, Villegas Gonzalez put his car in reverse and backed away from them. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 McBride backed away, noticed a nearby broadcast camera, and pointed directly at the lens to signal the interaction was captured live. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Prices for diesel, the workhorse fuel that powers trucks, tractors, trains and construction vehicles, hit all-time highs last month but has since backed away a bit. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Mamdani made a rent freeze one of his signature issues on the campaign trail, but has backed away from making many public statements about it as mayor, under the threat of legal action. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026 Some progressives, including Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez, have backed away from their earlier support of police defunding. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026 Family offices were able to make opportunistic plays in oil and gas in the years after the Covid pandemic as traditional investors backed away from the sector due to pressure from environmentally conscious stakeholders. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026 And the Justice Department has backed away from the federal government’s long-standing interpretation of a landmark Supreme Court ruling protecting the right of disabled people to receive services in their communities. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backed away

Verb

After discussing the safety measures and hearing from those in attendance, Hall and Lett withdrew to discuss the vote over the phone with Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope, who was absent for a conference.

— Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Two other Democrats with virtually no name recognition withdrew after the primary despite being in line to advance.

— Becky Bohrer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

Officers retreated and called for backup, but officials said the suspect fired shots at police.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
Once promoted by her husband as a possible successor in the Governor’s Mansion, Casey DeSantis has since largely retreated from public view.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of retreated

Verb

On 3rd-and-22, Love dropped back to pass and launched the football 53 yards and found Watson in the back of the end zone.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
As Goff dropped back to pass, Detroit tight end Sam LaPorta gave Umanmielen a hard chip block.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of dropped back

Verb

The trooper pulled out and followed the Gladiator driver until finding a safe spot for a traffic stop in the area of Exit 51.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
Following Macklemore's removal, all of Sheeran's remaining opening acts and supporting musicians, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, pulled out in solidarity with the rapper.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of pulled out

Browse Nearby Words

backed

backed away

backed down

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“Backed away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backed%20away. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of backed away

verb

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