as in to backtrack
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Recent Examples of backpedal
Allen backpedaled to the corner and got a perfect pass from Bosh just before the 3-point line.
—
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
His administration began backpedaling amid the criticism, though, seeking the release of some grand jury records.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead, while backpedaling, Sabalenka put the ball into the net, giving Anisimova a break chance.
—Howard Fendrich, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
One of the main ones will be that the world’s largest economy, the USA, is backpedaling away from green technology towards climate change denial.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
His administration began backpedaling amid the criticism, though, seeking the release of some grand jury records.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead, while backpedaling, Sabalenka put the ball into the net, giving Anisimova a break chance.
—Howard Fendrich, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
One of the main ones will be that the world’s largest economy, the USA, is backpedaling away from green technology towards climate change denial.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal
Verb
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Forcing the president to backtrack on deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
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Roy and crew had to deal with severe storms on their FSD run attempt, and een ask the car to backtrack to rescue a team member.—
Brad Templeton,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The letter demanded that CapitalWatch retract its 35-page report published last week, as well as follow-up statements.—
Lola Murti,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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Dendritic spines retract, which leads to communication between neurons decreasing dramatically.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The suspect was acquitted of rape charges but convicted of assault and attempting to pervert justice by pressuring the woman to recant her allegations.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Campbell also dismissed the third eyewitness recanting her testimony, saying there's no evidence of tampering during the trial.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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