backtrack
verb
back·track
ˈbak-ˌtrak 
backtracked; backtracking; backtracks
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
Plan ahead Plan fuel-efficient routes using apps like Google Maps to avoid backtracking and unnecessary stops.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Early in the ongoing war, Pezeshkian apologized to the Gulf countries for attacking them with ballistic missiles and drones, only to quickly backtrack when the Guards communicated a different message.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Users recoiled immediately, forcing OpenAI to backtrack and restore the old models.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Relations between Hungary and fellow EU members, strained since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, took a nosedive this month after Orbán backtracked on an agreement to provide Kyiv with a 90-billion euro ($104 billion) loan.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Early in the ongoing war, Pezeshkian apologized to the Gulf countries for attacking them with ballistic missiles and drones, only to quickly backtrack when the Guards communicated a different message.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
Users recoiled immediately, forcing OpenAI to backtrack and restore the old models.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
Relations between Hungary and fellow EU members, strained since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, took a nosedive this month after Orbán backtracked on an agreement to provide Kyiv with a 90-billion euro ($104 billion) loan.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
Cite this Entry
“Backtrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backtrack. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backtrack
verb
back·track
ˈbak-ˌtrak
1
: to go back over a course or path
2
: to reverse a position or stand
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