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
Trump, having learned that Good’s father was a supporter of his, has since walked back his descriptions of the incident.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Bessette-Kennedy’s love of loafers and pants is well-known, captured here in a quintessential off-duty look while walking back to her Tribeca apartment.
—Julia Rabinowitsch, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
The witness separated Galloway and Alexander and walked back inside the home, the affidavit said.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
Blume walked back an earlier target of reaching a 10% market share in the world's second biggest auto market, with the group now planning to advance in incremental steps.
—William Wilkes Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for walk back
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Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Bessette-Kennedy’s love of loafers and pants is well-known, captured here in a quintessential off-duty look while walking back to her Tribeca apartment.
—Julia Rabinowitsch, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
The witness separated Galloway and Alexander and walked back inside the home, the affidavit said.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2026
Blume walked back an earlier target of reaching a 10% market share in the world's second biggest auto market, with the group now planning to advance in incremental steps.
—William Wilkes Bloomberg, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
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 4 Feb. 2026.
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