backpedal
verb
back·ped·al
ˈbak-ˌpe-dᵊl 
backpedaled; backpedaling; backpedals
: to retreat or move backward
Examples of backpedal in a Sentence
The outfielder backpedaled a few steps to catch the fly ball.
Recent Examples on the Web
But then Mboko, who had used her power to send Osaka skittering across the baseline and backpedaling all evening, feathered a soft drop shot into the open space at the front of the court.
—
Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Slater, who recently signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension which included $92 million guaranteed, sustained a season-ending knee injury when backpedaling in pass protection to take on a block from linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.
—Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Patrick Mahomes backpedaled from the 10-yard line to maybe the 15, searching for an option before his eyes darted to the middle of the field.
—Sam McDowell 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025
Microsoft is backpedaling on plans to charge $80 for some PC and Xbox games.
—PC Magazine, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
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Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
Slater, who recently signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension which included $92 million guaranteed, sustained a season-ending knee injury when backpedaling in pass protection to take on a block from linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.
—Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Patrick Mahomes backpedaled from the 10-yard line to maybe the 15, searching for an option before his eyes darted to the middle of the field.
—Sam McDowell 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025
Microsoft is backpedaling on plans to charge $80 for some PC and Xbox games.
—PC Magazine, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpedal. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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