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
Over the years, Lucasfilm has demonstrated no aversion to backpedaling major creative decisions and by extension rewarding the negativity.
—
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 July 2024
Facing an intense backlash even among Republicans, Trump seemed to backpedal on Monday.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2019
The fallout led Gascón to backpedal and create a method for prosecutors to seek to have cases transferred to adult court after stringent review.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
The company backpedaled after the comments in court documents gained public attention.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backpedal 
Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 July 2024
Facing an intense backlash even among Republicans, Trump seemed to backpedal on Monday.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2019
The fallout led Gascón to backpedal and create a method for prosecutors to seek to have cases transferred to adult court after stringent review.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
The company backpedaled after the comments in court documents gained public attention.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for backpedal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backpedal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpedal. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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