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
Even Elon Musk has walked back his previous promise to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget, a figure that many experts have panned as unrealistic.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
As Goldner walked back from the garage, the big oak tree that had caused him so much concern was still there, barely touched by the flames.
—Gavin Feek, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025
Biden eventually walked back his proposed Title IX reforms for trans student-athletes entirely, with anonymous staff members claiming in 2024 the president did so to avoid controversy during an election year.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 8 Jan. 2025
Comments were walked back along the way by Mayo, who acknowledged there would be rookie mistakes.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for walk back 
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Matt Egan, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
As Goldner walked back from the garage, the big oak tree that had caused him so much concern was still there, barely touched by the flames.
—Gavin Feek, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025
Biden eventually walked back his proposed Title IX reforms for trans student-athletes entirely, with anonymous staff members claiming in 2024 the president did so to avoid controversy during an election year.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 8 Jan. 2025
Comments were walked back along the way by Mayo, who acknowledged there would be rookie mistakes.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for walk back
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Dictionary Entries Near walk back
Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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