walkback

Retreat from position

A walkback is a public retraction or softening of a previous statement, typically by a politician or spokesperson who said something controversial or inaccurate: The senator's walkback came within hours of the original remarks.

The term implies the retreat is reluctant or strategic rather than a sincere change of position.

Also written walk-back.

To walk back a statement is to perform this retraction.

retraction

reversal

Complete change of direction

recantationFormal withdrawal of statement
disavowalRejection of connection
repudiationFormal refusal to accept

about-face · u-turn · flip-flop · climbdown · backpedaling · retreat · withdrawal · rescission · revocation · renunciation

correction

amendment

Change to official text

revisionAltering to improve
modificationAct of altering something
adjustmentAlteration to improve fit

rectification · clarification · fix · update · emendation · refinement · alteration · change · remedy · redress

apology

regret

Sorrow over past actions

contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame

atonement · amends · repentance · reconciliation · concession · admission · acknowledgment · culpability · accountability · humility

walkback

reversal

amendment

regret

walkback

Opposites

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