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.
So far, investors have been relieved President Donald Trump has backed away from aggressive, across-the-board tariffs during his first days in office. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025 The Coyotes asking price included first-round picks in the 2025 and 2026 NHL Draft — prompting Hextall to back away from talks. Rob Rossi, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 The video shows a large adult leading the group as tourists back away to give the family space. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025 The logic to this argument is that a democratic and pro-Western Iran would forswear nuclear weapons (and mean it) and back away from supporting proxies. Richard Haass, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near back away

Cite this Entry

“Back away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20away. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on back away

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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