BACKTRACKED Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

backtracked

verb

past tense of backtrack

as in reverted

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Dissimilar Words

as in backpedaled

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of backtracked Seconds later, Flore backtracked, called the foul on the floor, then backtracked his backtrack and reverted to his initial call. — Cj Moore, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backtracked

Verb

In Tampa Bay’s 43-13 demolition of the Carolina Panthers, Young reverted to the form of his first two years with an offensive line that reverted, too.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
If performance reverted as soon as the executive left, the transformation was never complete.

— Rob Versaw, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reverted

Verb

Experiments that initially corroborated the results were retracted, in one case amid indications of deliberate spiking with fake fusion products.

— George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
State law says that drivers have to stop and wait for a school bus with the stop arm extended until the stop arm is retracted.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of retracted

Verb

Ritterspach has also agreed to permanently stop any Animal Welfare Act-regulated activity, and his license has been permanently revoked.

— CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
His boxing license revoked and his championship title stripped, Ali entered a period of exile.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of revoked

Verb

The Lake Wylie Marine Commission has rescinded its support for Charlotte Water’s request to modify its interbasin transfer agreement, the group’s leadership told Mecklenburg County commissioners during its annual report Tuesday.

— Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
The fines could be rescinded if the coaches avoid sideline outbursts for the rest of the season, as the league calls for more civil interactions between coaches, players and officials.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of rescinded

Verb

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the restriction on Friday after multiple appeals from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, allowing the country’s men’s and women’s teams to compete in the 2027 championships.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Across the country, people voted in the midterm elections to significantly expand who holds power in America, all over a single night in which decades of political precedent were overturned.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of overturned

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backtrack

backtracked

backtracking

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Style

“Backtracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backtracked. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of backtracked

verb

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