v.1. To draw or haul something or someone away from something or someone: She opened the box and gently pulled away the layers of tissue paper. He pulled the child's hand away from the hot stove.
2. To move away or backward; withdraw: When I leaned over to wipe the child's face, he pulled away. She tried to stop him from going, but he pulled away from her.
3. To start moving away, as a vehicle: She noted the car's license plate as it was pulling away. We waved goodbye as the boat pulled away from the dock.
4. To move ahead: The horse pulled away in the final stretch and won the race.