as in to backtrack
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Recent Examples of backpedal
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
Amid the purge, the Trump administration laid off more than 300 probationary NNSA employees, only to backpedal and bring almost all of them back days later.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
As in other areas of this administration’s first 100 days, the execution of tariff policy has been chaotic and poorly thought through, leading to conflicting messaging and backpedaling.
—The Editors, National Review, 1 May 2025
With his fourth corner 3-pointer in as many tries — three of them launched in front of OKC’s meddling sideline — Watson spun around and trash-talked his irritants, gleefully backpedaling to the end of the floor that he’s actually meant to dominate.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Amid the purge, the Trump administration laid off more than 300 probationary NNSA employees, only to backpedal and bring almost all of them back days later.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
As in other areas of this administration’s first 100 days, the execution of tariff policy has been chaotic and poorly thought through, leading to conflicting messaging and backpedaling.
—The Editors, National Review, 1 May 2025
With his fourth corner 3-pointer in as many tries — three of them launched in front of OKC’s meddling sideline — Watson spun around and trash-talked his irritants, gleefully backpedaling to the end of the floor that he’s actually meant to dominate.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal
Verb
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Trump can oscillate between impatience with Putin, even threatening Russia with sanctions coordinated with Europe, and backtracking after Putin makes just a marginal counteroffer in bad faith.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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Britain’s opposition parties slammed the deals as backtracking on Brexit.—
Sylvia Hui,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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The smooth and sturdy wheels roll easily across any surface, and the handle can retract into 12 different positions.—
Ramsey Qubein,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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The paper was subsequently retracted due to questions regarding the validity of the data.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
28 May 2025
Verb
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When that is pointed out, oftentimes the victim recants their statements or refuses to cooperate with prosecution of an assault and battery or withdraws their request for a restraining order to avoid getting in trouble.—
Wendy Hickey,
Boston Herald,
25 May 2025
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In the following months, Fred confessed – then recanted his confession – to several of the murders at different moments in the investigation.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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