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
Israeli warplanes struck three nuclear sites in Iran on June 18, while a military spokesman walked back an earlier Israeli claim to have bombed Iran's only functioning nuclear power plant.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 20 June 2025
His previous testimony ended with the two sitting on a bench at Borrego Park, walking back to Woodward’s car.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 20 June 2025
Terry’s body was later found where Holmes was allegedly seen walking back from, police said in a probable cause statement.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
Trump later walked back the tariffs by announcing a 90-day pause for the majority.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for walk back
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Dan Morrison, USA Today, 20 June 2025
His previous testimony ended with the two sitting on a bench at Borrego Park, walking back to Woodward’s car.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 20 June 2025
Terry’s body was later found where Holmes was allegedly seen walking back from, police said in a probable cause statement.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2025
Trump later walked back the tariffs by announcing a 90-day pause for the majority.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for walk back
Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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