retrace

verb

re·​trace (ˌ)rē-ˈtrās How to pronounce retrace (audio)
retraced; retracing

transitive verb

: to trace (something) again or back: such as
a
: to go over or along (something, such as a course or path) again often in a reverse direction
The hikers retraced the path back to the cabin.
… an expedition that retraced Theodore Roosevelt's route along a Brazilian river …Warren E. Leary
He found his phone by retracing his steps/footsteps.
b
: to go over (something) again in memory : recall
Then she'd retrace memories of her mother, reminiscence, and find enough good things to bring joy back into her life …Katherine Jones
c
: to discover the origin or early history of (something) by going back over previous steps
retrace (the origin of) a word to German
d
: to follow, study, or present (something) in detail or step by step
But there's also a new exhibition in the city that retraces the roots of the Italian fashion industry.Patrick Boehler
Let us retrace his argument.José Eduardo González
e
: to write or draw (something, such as a letter or line) again
children tracing and retracing the alphabet
especially : to write or draw directly over and following along (an existing line, letter, etc.)
The penciled shapes were retraced with black marker.
The challenge: Connect nine dots, arrayed in three rows of three, using four straight lines without retracing a line or lifting the pen. Adam Piore
retraceability noun
retraceable adjective
a series of easily retraceable steps

Examples of retrace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Every night, hundreds of curious visitors retrace his steps. Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 25 June 2025 Lone Wolf by Adam Weymouth Courtesy of Crown Publishing Location: Eastern Europe Type: Nature/History Buy now: bookshop.org This talented British journalist retraces the route of a young wolf that scientists named Slvac, who journeys from Slovenia and crosses the Alps to arrive in Italy. Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025 This retraced slightly to 81% for bullion’s role as an effective portfolio diversifier, and 80% for its position as a long-term store of value. Royston Wild, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 The exhibition, to be held from June 18 until Sept. 28, retraces the history of Made in Italy through over 50 garments, accessories, and audiovisual and photographic contributions, highlighting the textile innovation, aesthetic research and commercial strategies that characterized this period. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for retrace

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrace was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retrace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrace. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

retrace

verb
re·​trace (ˌ)rē-ˈtrās How to pronounce retrace (audio)
retraced; retracing
1
: to write or draw again or directly over
retraced the letters
2
: to go over (as a route) again or in a reverse direction
3
: to follow, study, or present in detail or in steps
4
: recall

More from Merriam-Webster on retrace

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