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
Reuters reported that the private equity firm backtracked on its bid, valued at $64 a share, about a week ago.
—
Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
During a call with investors following the earnings release, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy fielded a question about the layoffs at Amazon this week and backtracked on AI innovations being the primary driver for the cuts.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
However, last month, The Sun and The Mail on Sunday published an email that reportedly proved Sarah had backtracked privately on that statement just weeks later.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The movie begins in a rush, near the end of the story, but quickly backtracks to the point where the rivalry commences.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
During a call with investors following the earnings release, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy fielded a question about the layoffs at Amazon this week and backtracked on AI innovations being the primary driver for the cuts.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
However, last month, The Sun and The Mail on Sunday published an email that reportedly proved Sarah had backtracked privately on that statement just weeks later.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The movie begins in a rush, near the end of the story, but quickly backtracks to the point where the rivalry commences.
—Kirk Honeycutt, HollywoodReporter, 20 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 5 Nov. 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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