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
On Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vučić has also backtracked, expressing support for long-time Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik – who has been barred from office by the country’s constitutional court, but defies that ruling.
—
Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
At a time when many countries are backtracking on climate commitments, women’s leadership is more crucial than ever.
—Catherine McKenna, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Since the 2024 election, a lot of high-profile Democrats, even [California] Governor [Gavin] Newsom, have seemed to backtrack a bit or even come out a little bit against going too far with transgender rights.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, Iger backtracked those comments and threw his support behind holding on to linear.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
At a time when many countries are backtracking on climate commitments, women’s leadership is more crucial than ever.
—Catherine McKenna, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Since the 2024 election, a lot of high-profile Democrats, even [California] Governor [Gavin] Newsom, have seemed to backtrack a bit or even come out a little bit against going too far with transgender rights.
—Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, Iger backtracked those comments and threw his support behind holding on to linear.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 Sep. 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 6 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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