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
Afterward, a smattering of boos serenaded Tatis’ walk back to the dugout.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The remarks follow a premature announcement by FBI Director Kash Patel, who initially claimed the suspect was in custody before walking back the statement.
—Amanda Castro
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
An hour later, Patel walked back his initial statement.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Authorities walked back an early claim that a suspect was in custody; later updates said no one was in custody.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for walk back
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.
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
The remarks follow a premature announcement by FBI Director Kash Patel, who initially claimed the suspect was in custody before walking back the statement.
—Amanda Castro
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
An hour later, Patel walked back his initial statement.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Authorities walked back an early claim that a suspect was in custody; later updates said no one was in custody.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for walk back
Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share