backpedaling

verb

present participle of backpedal
as in backtracking

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedaling
  1. retracting
  2. recanting
Verb
  • With styling that’s part Art Deco, part Steampunk, and part contemporary elegance, the Supersport comes with the choice of either a removable composite-hardtop roof or a retracting mohair soft-top setup.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Vivo and Oppo phones have relied on various gimmicks, like smaller gimbals and pop-out lenses, to improve camera performance, though not to the extent of a physically retracting gimbal.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of retracting
Verb
  • Now with Jane Doe recanting her claims, Carter’s attorneys have filed a notice to the judge, dismissing all claims against her — though their case against her former attorney, Buzbee, still stands.
    — Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Lawyers for the former Penn State assistant football coach told a court that one of his victims signed an affidavit recanting his testimony, court documents say.
    — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of recanting
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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backpedaled
backpedaling
backpedals
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Cite this Entry

“Backpedaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedaling. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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