backtrack

verb

back·​track ˈbak-ˌtrak 

backtracked; backtracking; backtracks

intransitive verb

1

a

: to retrace one's course

b

: to go back to an earlier point in a sequence

2

: to reverse a position

Examples of backtrack in a Sentence

The hikers realized they had made a wrong turn and would have to backtrack.

Let me backtrack for a moment and pick up our previous conversation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ponto has recently backtracked on calling herself her father's campaign manager. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Mamdani ran for mayor on ending mayoral control but quickly backtracked after he was elected — now leading a full-court press for a lengthy renewal. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026

Plan ahead Plan fuel-efficient routes using apps like Google Maps to avoid backtracking and unnecessary stops. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026

Early in the ongoing war, Pezeshkian apologized to the Gulf countries for attacking them with ballistic missiles and drones, only to quickly backtrack when the Guards communicated a different message. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for backtrack

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

backtrack

verb

back·​track ˈbak-ˌtrak 

1

: to go back over a course or path

2

: to reverse a position or stand