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.
But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025 But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025 According to police, the clerk backed away from the counter, prompting the suspect to shoot at a stack of soda 12-packs. Rhiannon Saegert, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2025 Our teams have never backed away from a challenge. Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 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 18 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!