What does backpedaling mean?
Backpedaling means (US) present participle and gerund of backpedal.
Backpedaling
Pronunciation varies by accent · verb
Meaning
(US) present participle and gerund of backpedal.
Definitions by Sense
- (US) present participle and gerund of backpedal
- The act of distancing oneself from a previously supported idea, action, behaviour, etc.; a U-turn or flip-flop.
Example Sentences
Despite the swift backpedalling of the university, the original notice given to stall operators is suggestive of the potential existence of ‘a growing English-speaking elite’ that is ‘happy to maintain the importance of the English language’.
Synonyms for backpedaling
Antonyms for backpedaling
Related Words
Word Forms
- backpedalling
- backpedalings
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for backpedaling?
The closest synonym depends on the sentence and intended sense.
What is the opposite of backpedaling?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use backpedaling in a sentence?
Despite the swift backpedalling of the university, the original notice given to stall operators is suggestive of the potential existence of ‘a growing English-speaking elite’ that is ‘happy to maintain the importance of the English language’.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.