backpedal

verb

Definition of backpedalnext
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
  1. backtrack
  2. retract
  3. recant
Verb
  • Weeks later, McCollough would backtrack, becoming defensive when Colleen asked her how the conversation with Watts went.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of backtrack
Verb
  • The ShinyHunters group claimed responsibility but offered no verifiable evidence, demanding that the bureau retract a warning describing it as a cybercriminal organization.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The research and teaching missions will further retract from each other.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of retract
Verb
  • Now, Carter is submitting a new appeal after Jane Doe fully recanted her claims last week.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Judge Carl Weimer vacated the conviction after the only witness tying Wolfe to the shooting recanted his testimony, and Wolfe agreed to a plea deal on marijuana and robbery charges for a sentence of time served.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of recant

Browse Nearby Words

backpacks
backpedal
backpedaled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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