walk back
verb
walked back; walking back; walks back
US
: to retreat from or distance oneself from (a previously stated opinion or position)
… try not to say anything in the primary campaign that you might need to walk back in the general election.—
The Progressive Populist
The Progressive Populist… has tried to walk back his suggestion about Japan, in particular, claiming in recent days that he "never said" that the Asian nation should acquire nuclear weapons.—Julian Hattem
Julian HattemExamples of walk back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Police said the alarm company told their communications center there was video surveillance footage showing a man walking back and forth in front of the ATM and that someone had possibly spray painted over the camera.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
The Taliban have taken multiple steps to walk back women's rights since taking over the country in August 2021, including banning education for girls beyond grade six, banning women from universities and, most recently, banning women's voices and bare faces in public.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Mayo has had to walk back many comments made to the media this season.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 28 Dec. 2024
Police officials defended the actions of the officer seen in video footage walking back and forth as the woman stood engulfed in flames.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
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Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
The Taliban have taken multiple steps to walk back women's rights since taking over the country in August 2021, including banning education for girls beyond grade six, banning women from universities and, most recently, banning women's voices and bare faces in public.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Mayo has had to walk back many comments made to the media this season.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 28 Dec. 2024
Police officials defended the actions of the officer seen in video footage walking back and forth as the woman stood engulfed in flames.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for walk back
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Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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