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

The reviews and site checks are part of an effort to convince the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to backtrack on the withholding of funds. —Aki Nace, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

Forcing the president to backtrack on deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles. —Maya Singer, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2026

The most damaging pattern is backtracking. —Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Senior officials — such as Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security advisor — have backtracked on their initial defense of the federal agents who fired the fatal shots. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 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