View synonyms for back away

back away

Gradually retreat, withdraw, as in Since he couldn't convince his colleagues, he's backing away from his original idea . Both usages employ the verb back in the sense of “retreat,” dating from the late 1400s. Also see back down ; back out .
Walk backward, as in He cautiously backed away from the fire .

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Example Sentences

The Prime Minister was always confident that Scotland would back away if presented with the opportunity to go it alone.

But if Moscow eases up pressure on Assad, he could easily back away from his commitments to hand over his chemical stockpiles.

And typically, the pugnacious New Jerseyan refuses to back away.

Slowly and cautiously, so as to avoid some sort of rock slide--but back away, none the less.

It will be interesting to see whether women start moving back away from Romney after hearing what he and Ryan have in store.

We went winding in and out amongst the trees, and sometimes the vines hung so thick we had to back away and go some other way.

Several tried to back away, and Hans pitched over Tom and both went in a heap.

He hugged the wall and moved back away from the spot where the watcher would be expecting him.

Well, Uncle Wiggily started to jump back away from the door of the little house, but it was too late.

The hours flew until the tug signaled that she must cast loose and back away from the reef.

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