walk back

verb

walked back; walking back; walks back

transitive verb

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
… 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

Examples of walk back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the judge walked back that suggestion in his order that denied the defense’s request to delay Kohberger’s trial. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Aug. 2025 However, at a press conference later that month, SAPD police chief William McManus walked back that statement. Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025 More news: Surprise AFC Team is Pitching to Trade for Terry McLaurin Since the end of the 2024 season, Hill has walked back his comments, apologizing privately and publicly to his teammates. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025 Then, Horst Faas walked back into the photo office from his long lunch down at Le Royal with his longtime colleague Peter Arnett, who was also back in Saigon for the Easter Offensive. Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for walk back

Word History

First Known Use

2000, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of walk back was in 2000

Cite this Entry

“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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