as in to backtrack
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Recent Examples of backpedal
Many of the worst culprits on this issue are backpedaling fast.
—
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
To make matters worse, the boss frequently would backpedal into the blind spot of whichever camera was attempting to show the action.
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
To make matters worse, the boss frequently would backpedal into the blind spot of whichever camera was attempting to show the action.
—David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal
Verb
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Trump quickly backtracked, saying Powell—who was first appointed by the president in his first term—will sit out his term, due to finish in 2026.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
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Syncing your bank account, accounting software and payment system ensures your books stay clean and up to date without manual data entry or backtracking.—
Nick Chandi,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Verb
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In 2023, more than 10,000 papers were retracted from research journals.—
Sheldon H. Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
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Once airborne, the foils retract away into the hull, reemerging after landing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Soudani’s sister and son recanted their statements to the local police about Mr. Soudani’s whereabouts on the night of Helen Soudani’s murder in 1977.—
Christopher Maag,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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During the trial, several witnesses recanted prior statements, alleging threatening, intimidating and coercive efforts by Foster and Brian Forberg, the two detectives assigned to the case.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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