| recoil(verb, move, change, start, withdraw) |
| shy(verb, start, pause, hesitate, recoil) |
| shrink(verb, stop, start, withdraw, return) |
| pull back(verb, expression, phrasal verb, stop, withdraw) |
| shift(verb, move, stop, change, push) |
| swerve(verb, move, stop, change, start) |
| alternate(verb, move, stop, change, push) |
| back away(verb, expression, phrasal verb, withdraw, return) |
| dodge(withdraw, retreat, hesitate, recoil, shrink) |
| duck(verb, start, withdraw, retreat, dodge) |
| equivocate(pause, hesitate, falter, balk, scruple) |
| hedge(pause, hesitate, falter, balk, scruple) |
| hem and haw(expression, idiom, pause, hesitate, falter) |
| pussyfoot(pause, hesitate, falter, balk, scruple) |
| retreat(verb, start, withdraw, return, dodge) |
| vacillate(pause, hesitate, falter, balk, scruple) |
| ward off(expression, spiraled, spiralled, incurvated) |
| withdraw(verb, start, return, retreat, dodge) |
| abandon(retreat, recoil, recede, shrink) |
| about-face(verb, move, change, push, return) |