Back away and Close

Opposite meaning terms

Back away verb - To move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable).

Show all Definitions

Close is an antonym for back away.

Close verb - To come near or nearer.

Usage example: the two groups closed with each other from opposite sides of the field

Show all Definitions

Back away is an antonym for close.

Nearby Words: closed, closeness, closing, closely, closure

After he gets close to a ferret in chapter 34, the ferret plugs his nose and tells him to back away because his breath is "making him a bit woozy."

Source: Fanfic / What Lies Beyond the Walls
If you get close to them, they back away.

Source: Artificial Stupidity / RPG
Enemies in close proximity will flinch and back away when they hear.

Source: Video Game / Sleeping Dogs

Cite this Source

Close and Back away. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_away/close

Back away & Close. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_away/close>.

Close or Back away. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/back_away/close.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "back away" and "close" have occurred on timeline