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 Israeli leader initially accepted the invite, only to backtrack two hours later.
—
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Barcelona initially agreed to take part this evening but then backtracked, in part because of security reasons.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Whether Altman backtracks or compromises further is the next question.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
This week, the White House appeared to backtrack on its most acute threats.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Barcelona initially agreed to take part this evening but then backtracked, in part because of security reasons.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Whether Altman backtracks or compromises further is the next question.
—Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
This week, the White House appeared to backtrack on its most acute threats.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
Cite this Entry
“Backtrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backtrack. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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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