BACKPEDAL Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

backpedal

verb

Definition of backpedal

as in to backtrack

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of backpedal In follow-up interviews, Grede has declined to backpedal. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026 But leaders shouldn’t backpedal on criminal justice reforms. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 Facing pressure from New England, Jarrett Stidham was backpedaling on third down and tried to throw a chest pass. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 25 Jan. 2026 Quarterback Bo Nix, in a sight much too frequent in the 19-3 win, was left to backpedal for his life and loft a duck of an incompletion. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backpedal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal

Verb

The industry, including the WGA and the DGA, balked, and the TV Academy had to backtrack.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 July 2026
Federal authorities seized more than 700 drones that flew over or near World Cup venues, often using high-tech jammers to backtrack to their pilots.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of backtrack

Verb

Over the weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a positive lettuce test, then retracted it a day later as a false positive.

— Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
With a catheter inserted into a vein, intravenous tubing fitted and a syringe pump loaded and primed, the subject waits as the bed retracts until his brain is centered within the great coils of an MRI machine calibrated to map altered brain states.

— Charles Moss, SPIN, 16 July 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

In addition, investigators working for Duncan’s legal team interviewed a jailhouse informant who recanted his earlier trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.

— Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 29 June 2026
At least three people were arrested and police said at least four others have recanted.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of recant

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backpacks

backpedal

backpedaled

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“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of backpedal

verb

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