Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb backpedal

3 senses of backpedal

Sense 1
backpedal -- (pedal backwards on a bicycle)
       => bicycle, cycle, bike, pedal, wheel -- (ride a bicycle)

Sense 2
backpedal -- (step backwards, in boxing)
       => step -- (shift or move by taking a step; "step back")

Sense 3
backpedal -- (modify one's opinion, make it less strong)
       => rethink -- (change one's mind; "He rethought his decision to take a vacation")