walk back
verb
walked back; walking back; walks back
US
: to retreat from or distance oneself from (a previously stated opinion or position)
… try not to say anything in the primary campaign that you might need to walk back in the general election.—
The Progressive Populist
The Progressive Populist… has tried to walk back his suggestion about Japan, in particular, claiming in recent days that he "never said" that the Asian nation should acquire nuclear weapons.—Julian Hattem
Julian HattemExamples of walk back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The socialist seems to be walking back a campaign promise to expand the city’s billion-dollar rental voucher program.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2026
His incorrect assertion that NATO allies had not served on Afghanistan's front lines, later walked back, reinforced a broader perception that times and realities had shifted.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Rufus gives a little shake, and all three walk back to shore.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The person then walked back toward Guthrie’s front yard, grabbed a handful of plants and tried to cover the camera with it.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for walk back
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Editorial Board, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2026
His incorrect assertion that NATO allies had not served on Afghanistan's front lines, later walked back, reinforced a broader perception that times and realities had shifted.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Rufus gives a little shake, and all three walk back to shore.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The person then walked back toward Guthrie’s front yard, grabbed a handful of plants and tried to cover the camera with it.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for walk back
Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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