Showing results for backtracking.

backtracking

NOUN

palinode

Synonyms

WEAK

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation annulment backpedaling contradiction contraversion denial disavowal disclaimer disowning forswearing gainsaying nullification recall recantation reneging renouncing repudiation retractation reversal revocation unsaying volte-face withdrawal

NOUN

recantation

Synonyms

STRONG

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation annulment contradiction denial disavowal disclaimer disowning forswearing nullification recall repudiation reversal revocation volte-face withdrawal

WEAK

backpedaling contraversion gainsaying palinode reneging renouncing retractation unsaying

Antonyms

STRONG

agreement approval confirmation corroboration restoration

NOUN

retractation

Synonyms

WEAK

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation annulment backpedaling contradiction contraversion denial disavowal disclaimer disowning forswearing gainsaying nullification palinode recall recantation reneging renouncing repudiation reversal revocation unsaying volte-face withdrawal

NOUN

retraction

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annulment denial disavowal disclaimer repudiation reversal

STRONG

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation contradiction disowning forswearing nullification recall revocation volte-face withdrawal

WEAK

backpedaling contraversion gainsaying reneging renouncing unsaying

Antonyms

WEAK

confirmation corroboration reaffirmation

NOUN

U-turn

Synonyms

STRONGEST

change of mind reversal turnaround

STRONG

retraction volte-face

WEAK

U-ey change of heart change of plan eating one's words one-eighty sea change

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.

Some Inuit families in Greenland remain worried despite US President Donald Trump backtracking on a threat of using force to acquire the Arctic territory and beginning talks with Copenhagen and Nuuk.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Just hours before this latest backtracking, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting – who'd quite fancy being prime minister himself one day – said it was important the government "gets it right first time".

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

After that, there could be a “more serious stallout at resistance,” and then some backtracking into spring for Nvidia and many semiconductor stocks.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025

Even if a strong agreement is hammered out, there is no real assurance against backtracking.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2024

Clearly the traffic got so bad, people turned around on the road and tried to go the other way, hoping that backtracking would actually cut their losses.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

backtracking

Example Sentences

Related Words