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
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously barred the United States from using bases in his country for offensive attacks Iran, but backpedaled within days.
—
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Any backpedaling option was blocked.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
But leaders shouldn’t backpedal on criminal justice reforms.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Arrington struggled against the Seahawks’ length at receiver, so Bill Belichick replaced him with Logan Ryan, who ceded too much cushion before backpedaling into the end zone and allowing an easy Chris Matthews touchdown catch to tie the game, 14-14, with two seconds left in the first half.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
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Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Any backpedaling option was blocked.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
But leaders shouldn’t backpedal on criminal justice reforms.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Arrington struggled against the Seahawks’ length at receiver, so Bill Belichick replaced him with Logan Ryan, who ceded too much cushion before backpedaling into the end zone and allowing an easy Chris Matthews touchdown catch to tie the game, 14-14, with two seconds left in the first half.
—Jeff Howe, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backpedal. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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