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

In Michigan this week, Republican Senate Candidate Mike Rogers backtracked, coming out in support of a one-year moratorium on new data centers. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Weeks later, McCollough would backtrack, becoming defensive when Colleen asked her how the conversation with Watts went. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

After public pushback, state legislators backtracked and repealed some of the requirements. — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

The decision angered many engineers who felt Google was backtracking on its ethical assurances. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 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