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
Pope Francis and Buttigieg both backpedaled after Jewish leaders expressed concerns.
—
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
One of the best fast-break scorers in the NBA had only one backpedaling defender between him and the basket.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
The defensive back backpedaled quickly and anticipated Joly’s cut toward the pylon in the front of the end zone.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 1 May 2026
In follow-up interviews, Grede has declined to backpedal.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
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Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
One of the best fast-break scorers in the NBA had only one backpedaling defender between him and the basket.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
The defensive back backpedaled quickly and anticipated Joly’s cut toward the pylon in the front of the end zone.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 1 May 2026
In follow-up interviews, Grede has declined to backpedal.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpedal. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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