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
Researchers first announced a discovery in 2004, only to walk back their claim (opens a new tab).
—Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Days later, reggaeton star Nicky Jam walked back his endorsement of Trump over the controversy.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024
As a bit of a latecomer to the EV market, Scout has the advantage of learning from the mistakes of other companies that made big bets on electrification, only to walk back their EV ambitions amid slower-than-expected sales.
—Joann Muller, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
After the divorce records were released and appeared routine in nature, Lake would not walk back her allegations.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for walk back 
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Quanta Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Days later, reggaeton star Nicky Jam walked back his endorsement of Trump over the controversy.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 1 Nov. 2024
As a bit of a latecomer to the EV market, Scout has the advantage of learning from the mistakes of other companies that made big bets on electrification, only to walk back their EV ambitions amid slower-than-expected sales.
—Joann Muller, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
After the divorce records were released and appeared routine in nature, Lake would not walk back her allegations.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for walk back
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Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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