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

Still, the elimination of the green infrastructure office could be seen as the mayor backtracking on her signature campaign promise to implement a Green New Deal ahead of her first term that began in November 2021. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026

In October, however, CMS backtracked. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026

Gilbert initially broke to his right but had to reverse course and backtrack to his left to make the catch. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 17 May 2026

Elsewhere, prosecutors appeared to backtrack on an allegation against Basam Ibrahim. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for backtrack

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

Kids Definition

backtrack

verb

back·​track ˈbak-ˌtrak 

1

: to go back over a course or path

2

: to reverse a position or stand