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backpedal



VERB
retrace one's step
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The ring for this match was oversized, roughly the square footage of Wyoming, providing Paul plenty of room to run, skip, backpedal, and, weirdly, flick a lizard tongue at a circling Joshua.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 20, 2025

Only after another user pressed the chatbot to re-evaluate its answer did Grok backpedal and acknowledge the footage was from the Bondi Beach shooting.

From Barron's Dec. 16, 2025

So Stephens knew, as soon as it was snapped, he needed to backpedal in a hurry to cover the middle of the field.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 18, 2024

When Edith, now tense, tried to backpedal by telling Jazz a funny story and complimenting his appearance, he walked out.

From Slate Apr. 3, 2024

We backpedal, hunker down in a stairwell, and squint into the light.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins




Vocabulary lists containing backpedal


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