backpedal

verb

Definition of backpedalnext
as in to backtrack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of backpedal Russia will have to backpedal on its adversarial and hostile stance toward the U.S., and Putin’s apparently good relations with Trump could also make that far easier. — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025 Namely, making a downhill defender have to turn on a dime and sprint uphill, backpedaling between wing and prayer. — Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025 But Kennedy and Gabbard are obviously trying to backpedal just enough to get confirmed without any true change in their worldviews. — The Editors, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025 Dozens of shareholders representing $266 billion in assets are calling on Walmart to spell out the business reasons for backpedaling on the retailer's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal
  1. backtrack
  2. retract
  3. recant
Verb
  • Readers can backtrack to a specific choice and go in a different direction.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • In the early days of the second Trump administration, prominent donors like Mark Zuckerberg have enthusiastically backtracked on their own DEI policies.
    — David Campbell, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of backtrack
Verb
  • Limits have been places on dissemination of scientific research on LGBTQ and gender topics, as CDC researchers have been ordered to retract any unpublished research containing terms such as gender, transgender or LGBTQ.
    — Dr. Gary Spinner, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The school has retracted the public DEI statements of some programs, removed faculty diversity data, and revised a calendar of multicultural graduation events.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of retract
Verb
  • In 2007, the other girl recanted her allegations against Barriault, and the criminal charges were dropped.
    — Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Those platforms almost immediately recanted those moves, which in Twitter’s case had included temporarily locking the Post’s account.
    — Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of recant

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Cite this Entry

“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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