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
After the dad walked back over to his son, the woman — also a Phillies fan — who lost the battle walked back over to the family and berated them.
—Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
After several Phillies fans attempted to grab the home-run ball, one fan secured it before walking back to his spot several seats over to give it to a young boy, dropping it in his glove and giving him a big hug.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
By July, the department walked back its need for a large-scale reduction in force.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The cousin tried to drag Guzman away, and saw the shooter walk back inside the house.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for walk back
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Alex Krutchik, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
After several Phillies fans attempted to grab the home-run ball, one fan secured it before walking back to his spot several seats over to give it to a young boy, dropping it in his glove and giving him a big hug.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
By July, the department walked back its need for a large-scale reduction in force.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The cousin tried to drag Guzman away, and saw the shooter walk back inside the house.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
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 9 Sep. 2025.
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