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

When the agency seemed to backtrack, later proposing a purely functional bridge with no design flourishes as an option, city officials sued. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026

But OpenAI has since become a for-profit business, and Altman has backtracked on some of its safety commitments. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Kayfus lifted a ball to right that was helped by a steady breeze and fooled outfielder Michael Conforto, who took a few steps toward the infield before backtracking too late and watched helplessly as the shot hit the warning track. —CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026

Many major clothing brands have backtracked from their inclusivity messages in the late 2010s. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 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