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

Less than two weeks ago, Murcia’s government had to backtrack on a proposal to buy housing to accommodate unaccompanied migrant minors as the ruling conservative People’s Party (PP) was threatened by far-right Vox, whose support the PP needs to pass laws. —Reuters, CNN Money, 13 July 2025

But as Wolfers warns, premising financial decisions on the assumption Trump will backtrack underestimates the centrality of tariffs to his economic agenda. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

Initially, the plant’s staff was overwhelmed, forcing Motorola to briefly backtrack on its promise to deliver phones to customers within four days. —Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025

In January, Nice mayor Christian Estrosi issued a decree banning cruise ships with more than 900 passengers but backtracked in March following pushback from maritime organizations and unions in the Cote d’Azur and Monaco regions. —Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 2 July 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