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
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
The mayor rejected backtracking, testily suggesting the moves were political and that the council shared responsibility for the balky rollout of the fees.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
If the city were to ever backtrack, ownership of the property would go back to the association, which initially gifted the land to the city decades ago.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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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
The mayor rejected backtracking, testily suggesting the moves were political and that the council shared responsibility for the balky rollout of the fees.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
If the city were to ever backtrack, ownership of the property would go back to the association, which initially gifted the land to the city decades ago.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 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 3 Feb. 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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