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backpedaled

verb

past tense of backpedal
as in backtracked

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedaled
  1. backtracked
  2. retracted
  3. recanted
Verb
  • Seconds later, Flore backtracked, called the foul on the floor, then backtracked his backtrack and reverted to his initial call.
    — CJ Moore, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Definition of backtracked
Verb
  • When the refill is retracted, the Telegraph Key can also be pressed repeatedly, turning the mechanism into a satisfying tactile interaction even when the pen is not being used for writing.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But the subtitle’s Hail Mary overtones hit everybody wrong, everywhere, all at once, and the movie quickly retracted it.
    — Michael Phillips, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of retracted
Verb
  • Now, Carter is submitting a new appeal after Jane Doe fully recanted her claims last week.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Jane Doe recanted her claims in a legal declaration, filed in New York on Thursday evening.
    — Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of recanted
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.

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backpedal
backpedaled
backpedaling
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Cite this Entry

“Backpedaled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedaled. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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