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
Simone prods for reconciliation or at least an explanation, but Phaedra doesn’t backpedal.
—
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
However, after some backlash, the airline backpedaled, announcing the forthcoming access policies a month later.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Jan. 2025
In step, some US companies – including the nation’s largest employer, Walmart – have backpedaled on some DEI initiatives, including racial equity training programs for staff and evaluations designed to boost supplier diversity.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
When Syria’s then-President Bashar al-Assad launched rockets with chemical gas and killed hundreds of civilians anyway, Obama backpedaled and ultimately chose not to invade, a move critics say allowed the civil war to spiral further while extremist groups took advantage by recruiting locals.
—Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backpedal 
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.
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
However, after some backlash, the airline backpedaled, announcing the forthcoming access policies a month later.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Jan. 2025
In step, some US companies – including the nation’s largest employer, Walmart – have backpedaled on some DEI initiatives, including racial equity training programs for staff and evaluations designed to boost supplier diversity.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025
When Syria’s then-President Bashar al-Assad launched rockets with chemical gas and killed hundreds of civilians anyway, Obama backpedaled and ultimately chose not to invade, a move critics say allowed the civil war to spiral further while extremist groups took advantage by recruiting locals.
—Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backpedal
Articles Related to backpedal
Dictionary Entries Near backpedal
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpedal. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share