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 scheduled vote on whether to backtrack the May decision follows intense backlash from national public safety leaders and police unions as violence makes headlines in the Greater Boston Area, including the mass shooting on Memorial Drive.

— Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
The industry, including the WGA and the DGA, balked, and the TV Academy had to backtrack.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 July 2026

Definition of backtrack

Verb

Rumors swirled about Alito’s retirement plans after NPR published and then retracted an article by reporter Nina Totenberg that Alito would be retiring from his role on the bench at the end of the court’s 2025-26 term.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026
The claim of a link stems from an unethical, fraudulent study that was retracted years ago, and its author was stripped of his medical license.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

The witnesses previously recanted, and Wednesday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott offered an apology.

— Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
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

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 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of backpedal

verb

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