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

Huckabee quickly backtracked after Carlson expressed consternation at the idea of an American diplomat signaling approval for a single country annexing almost the entire Levant, half of Saudi Arabia and a good chunk of Egypt. —Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 27 Feb. 2026

Merchants are aware that prices of metals could backtrack or keep jerking upward. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

At that point, governments and industry execs were not yet backtracking, weakening regulations, re-engining trucks, canceling battery deals or bringing back big, thirsty V8s. —New Atlas, 23 Feb. 2026

Their comments drew criticism from lawmakers in both parties, and the administration quickly backtracked. —Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 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