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
The backpedaling move drew howls from social media, journalists and rivals.
—
Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Many of the worst culprits on this issue are backpedaling fast.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
To make matters worse, the boss frequently would backpedal into the blind spot of whichever camera was attempting to show the action.
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro was backpedaling when the puck hopped over his stick and continued right into Robertson’s path for a clean look on Merzlikins.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
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Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Many of the worst culprits on this issue are backpedaling fast.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
To make matters worse, the boss frequently would backpedal into the blind spot of whichever camera was attempting to show the action.
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro was backpedaling when the puck hopped over his stick and continued right into Robertson’s path for a clean look on Merzlikins.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Apr. 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 24 May. 2025.
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