pulls away
Creates sudden distance
Pulls away describes movement that creates distance.
A car pulls away from a curb or stoplight, accelerating into traffic.
In competition, someone pulls away by opening up a lead: She pulled away in the final lap.
In relationships, pulling away suggests emotional withdrawal—becoming distant or less engaged: He's been pulling away from the family lately.
- gain groundMove forward, advance
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- backs outWithdraws from commitment
- detachTo separate from
- peels offRemoves a covering
retreat · steps back · escape · outstrip · separate · leave behind · disengage · break free · release · recede · distance · sever · cuts ties · disconnect · outpace · estranged · depart · diverge
movement/direction
pulls awayapproaches
Ways of doing something
draws near · pulls in · closes in · advances · pulls up