walk back

verb

walked back; walking back; walks back

transitive verb

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
… 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

Examples of walk back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But the apparent stall in the mass adoption of electrification has fouled this plan, and Mercedes has walked back its steps in that regard. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2025 Johnston has lately walked back a number of emotional and ill-placed statements regarding immigration. Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2025 After a whirlwind week defined by trade tensions, President Donald Trump has walked back one of the most economically consequential elements of his tariff scheme—for now. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 7 Feb. 2025 The White House Office of Management and Budget walked back its original memo the following day. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for walk back 

Word History

First Known Use

2000, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of walk back was in 2000

Cite this Entry

“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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