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

Mercury will retrograde through (Sagittarius) your 10th house of career and public persona before backtracking into (Scorpio) your ninth house of belief systems and long-term goals. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

According to Lanier, Harris initially agreed to the meeting but backtracked. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025

After having announced its intentions last fall to quit the model for a spot under the MLB Media umbrella, Milwaukee backtracked on its decision, signing a one-year deal with Main Street in January. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2025

Reuters reported that the private equity firm backtracked on its bid, valued at $64 a share, about a week ago. —Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025

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