backpedal
verb
back·ped·al
ˈbak-ˌpe-dᵊl 
backpedaled; backpedaling; backpedals
: to retreat or move backward
Examples of backpedal in a Sentence
The outfielder backpedaled a few steps to catch the fly ball.
Recent Examples on the Web
To be sure, some firms have backpedaled on plans to expand in the city.
—
Alexandre Rajbhandari, Fortune Europe, 14 May 2024
But Dameron said his superiors are now backpedaling.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024
The Pelicans were taking advantage of a Warriors team often backpedaling on defense, as turnovers prevented them from getting set.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
The statements, while made in reaction to a shocking court decision that will reverberate for months if not years, were dismissed by Democrats as GOP backpedaling.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
But past skeptics be damned, the album has stood the test of time, with many now backpedaling their initial criticisms to revel in her unabashed outbursts of rage and ecstasy and its thematic anchor of tender love and care.
—Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024
But many firms backpedal in 2023, and the Supreme Court for the first time rules that preferences based on race in college admissions are unconstitutional.
—Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Census Bureau backpedaled on changes to disabilities questions.
—USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2024
Purdy, whose arm strength contributed to his seventh-round draft standing, actually overthrew Aiyuk only to have the ball bounce off the facemask of a backpedaling Kindle Vildor.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024
Alexandre Rajbhandari, Fortune Europe, 14 May 2024
But Dameron said his superiors are now backpedaling.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024
The Pelicans were taking advantage of a Warriors team often backpedaling on defense, as turnovers prevented them from getting set.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
The statements, while made in reaction to a shocking court decision that will reverberate for months if not years, were dismissed by Democrats as GOP backpedaling.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
But past skeptics be damned, the album has stood the test of time, with many now backpedaling their initial criticisms to revel in her unabashed outbursts of rage and ecstasy and its thematic anchor of tender love and care.
—Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2024
But many firms backpedal in 2023, and the Supreme Court for the first time rules that preferences based on race in college admissions are unconstitutional.
—Emma Kumer, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Census Bureau backpedaled on changes to disabilities questions.
—USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2024
Purdy, whose arm strength contributed to his seventh-round draft standing, actually overthrew Aiyuk only to have the ball bounce off the facemask of a backpedaling Kindle Vildor.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backpedal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpedal. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
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