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

Given its high cost–both financially and in its toll on public health–and its frequent outages, backtracking on coal retirements has nothing but downsides for Pueblo and Xcel ratepayers. —Jamie Valdez, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025

But after a series of tests, Meta backtracked on Project Daisy. —Charlotte Alter, Time, 22 Nov. 2025

But the union alleges that in December the company backtracked on the framework. —Bryce Covert, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Nov. 2025

Mercury will retrograde through (Sagittarius) your 10th house of career and public persona before backtracking into (Scorpio) your ninth house of belief systems and long-term goals. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

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