backpedaled

Definition of backpedalednext
past tense of backpedal
See the Dictionary Definition 

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedaled
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
Verb
  • Author Michael Wolff said last year that Epstein played a role in introducing the couple in a Daily Beast article that was later retracted.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • John Vahlenkamp, one of the editors who retracted the story, declined to comment on his investigation into Morganroth’s work or her tenure in Boulder.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On the night he was arrested, Martinez confessed to shaking Heather and banging her head against a crib, but later recanted that confession.
    Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Citing such evidence, The New York Times editorial board recently recanted some of its earlier support for legalization.
    William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backpedaled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedaled. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster