as in to backtrack
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Recent Examples of backpedal
In an era where many institutions backpedal under political pressure, Johnson refuses to stay silent.
—
Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025
Fear of litigation, activist investor scrutiny and political pressure has caused companies to backpedal or keep their initiatives below the radar, said Jon Solorzano, an attorney at Vinson & Elkins who advises companies on DEI.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
Goldman Sachs is the latest finance giant to backpedal from diversity promises.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Simone prods for reconciliation or at least an explanation, but Phaedra doesn’t backpedal.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025
Fear of litigation, activist investor scrutiny and political pressure has caused companies to backpedal or keep their initiatives below the radar, said Jon Solorzano, an attorney at Vinson & Elkins who advises companies on DEI.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
Goldman Sachs is the latest finance giant to backpedal from diversity promises.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Simone prods for reconciliation or at least an explanation, but Phaedra doesn’t backpedal.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backpedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backpedal
Verb
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Isaacs then backtracked his comments in the wake of backlash.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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The data is clear, and the stakes are too high for managers and leaders to backtrack now.—
Farah Bala,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The driver had a difficult time retracting the ramp and after several tries got it on the bus, but the bus would not start.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2025
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Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Markers These best-selling markers feature a cone tip that allows for both fine lines and broad strokes, and they can be retracted with a simple click, so there’s no need to hunt down missing caps.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The effort was later recanted after the premier met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
28 Mar. 2025
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The first victim came forward in 2018, but she was called a liar by the administration at El Crystal and recanted, prosecutors said.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backpedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backpedal. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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