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
Investigators said in the complaint Johnson walked back toward them with a handgun.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
After public outcry, Florida Department of Transportation walked back on the two-month construction project, reopening the northbound flyover lane that connects to I-95 North on Monday morning.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Many of the major companies have walked back their promises to decarbonize.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Holding a nine-run lead, with his starter’s pitch count at an economical number, Melvin walked back to the dugout unaccompanied.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Eventually, the visitors give up and walk back to their silver Nissan SUV.
—Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Before the outlet published its piece, Mizuhara walked back his statements and claimed Ohtani knew nothing about his gambling debts and didn’t transfer any money to Bowyer’s associate on his behalf.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024
Their revolt is reshaping European policy — officials who previously promised to put the environment first and lead the world in a green transition have scrambled to walk back some of their own rules.
—Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Hours later, after lobbying by Speaker Paul Ryan, Mr. Trump walked back the statement in another social media post, and the bill passed.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
After public outcry, Florida Department of Transportation walked back on the two-month construction project, reopening the northbound flyover lane that connects to I-95 North on Monday morning.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Many of the major companies have walked back their promises to decarbonize.
—Cara Buckley, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Holding a nine-run lead, with his starter’s pitch count at an economical number, Melvin walked back to the dugout unaccompanied.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024
Eventually, the visitors give up and walk back to their silver Nissan SUV.
—Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Before the outlet published its piece, Mizuhara walked back his statements and claimed Ohtani knew nothing about his gambling debts and didn’t transfer any money to Bowyer’s associate on his behalf.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024
Their revolt is reshaping European policy — officials who previously promised to put the environment first and lead the world in a green transition have scrambled to walk back some of their own rules.
—Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
Hours later, after lobbying by Speaker Paul Ryan, Mr. Trump walked back the statement in another social media post, and the bill passed.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'walk back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Walk back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walk%20back. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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