as in to backtrack
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Recent Examples of backpedal
Quarterback Bo Nix, in a sight much too frequent in the 19-3 win, was left to backpedal for his life and loft a duck of an incompletion.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Quarterback Carson Beck took the snap from the shotgun, backpedaled a couple steps, and floated a ball down the right sidelined for true freshman Malachi Toney, who hauled in the contested catch for a 20-yard touchdown to cap the Hurricanes’ 34-17 win over the Hokies at Lane Stadium.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Allen backpedaled to the corner and got a perfect pass from Bosh just before the 3-point line.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
His administration began backpedaling amid the criticism, though, seeking the release of some grand jury records.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Quarterback Carson Beck took the snap from the shotgun, backpedaled a couple steps, and floated a ball down the right sidelined for true freshman Malachi Toney, who hauled in the contested catch for a 20-yard touchdown to cap the Hurricanes’ 34-17 win over the Hokies at Lane Stadium.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Allen backpedaled to the corner and got a perfect pass from Bosh just before the 3-point line.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
His administration began backpedaling amid the criticism, though, seeking the release of some grand jury records.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal
Verb
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Normally, Ralston said, a person that misses a turn would just swing around quickly and backtrack.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
8 Feb. 2026
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The reviews and site checks are part of an effort to convince the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to backtrack on the withholding of funds.—
Aki Nace,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The strongback support has retracted for launch.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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AppLovin last month demanded that CapitalWatch, a short seller, retract its 35-page report.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The first, who had lived in his Washington townhouse, later recanted her accusations.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
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The suspect was acquitted of rape charges but convicted of assault and attempting to pervert justice by pressuring the woman to recant her allegations.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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