backtracking

NOUN

palinode

Synonyms

WEAK

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation annulment backpedaling contradiction contraversion denial disavowal disclaimer disowning forswearing gainsaying nullification recall recantation reneging renouncing repudiation retractation reversal revocation unsaying volte-face withdrawal

NOUN

recantation

Synonyms

STRONG

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation annulment contradiction denial disavowal disclaimer disowning forswearing nullification recall repudiation reversal revocation volte-face withdrawal

WEAK

backpedaling contraversion gainsaying palinode reneging renouncing retractation unsaying

Antonyms

STRONG

agreement approval confirmation corroboration restoration

NOUN

retractation

Synonyms

WEAK

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation annulment backpedaling contradiction contraversion denial disavowal disclaimer disowning forswearing gainsaying nullification palinode recall recantation reneging renouncing repudiation reversal revocation unsaying volte-face withdrawal

NOUN

retraction

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annulment denial disavowal disclaimer repudiation reversal

STRONG

abjuration abnegation about-face abrogation contradiction disowning forswearing nullification recall revocation volte-face withdrawal

WEAK

backpedaling contraversion gainsaying reneging renouncing unsaying

Antonyms

WEAK

confirmation corroboration reaffirmation

NOUN

U-turn

Synonyms

STRONGEST

change of mind reversal turnaround

STRONG

retraction volte-face

WEAK

U-ey change of heart change of plan eating one's words one-eighty sea change

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Happily, the backtracking and throat-clearing ends a little less than halfway through, and from then on it’s all baseball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Silberfeld’s optimism arose from the agency’s apparent backtracking from plans unveiled in a January court hearing to install up to 800 tiny homes on the property.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

You have this breakup, and now she’s sort of backtracking like Elon Musk did.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025

"Ten years after the Paris Agreement and we are still trying to lobby," he told AFP, adding that backtracking by polluters was "very disheartening".

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

“I don’t see any good passes to the north. But I like that idea better than backtracking south. I’m done with Rome.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

backtracking

Example Sentences

Related Words