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

The prices later reverted after public polling continued to show Paxton leading, the report also found.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
That project was scrapped in February 2025 due to creative differences and the rights have since reverted back to Maas.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of reverted

Verb

When the refill is retracted, the Telegraph Key can also be pressed repeatedly, turning the mechanism into a satisfying tactile interaction even when the pen is not being used for writing.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
But the subtitle’s Hail Mary overtones hit everybody wrong, everywhere, all at once, and the movie quickly retracted it.

— Michael Phillips, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of retracted

Verb

A day after one such exchange in March, Khalili's Global Entry status was revoked (until a HuffPost journalist inquired about it, and it was reinstated).

— Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026
That has meant skaters such as Valieva have been considered eligible briefly after filing the paperwork for neutral status, only to have that status revoked soon after.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of revoked

Verb

In September, Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that a review ordered during President Joe Biden’s administration had been completed and the medals would not be rescinded.

— Meghan O'Brien, States Newsroom, 3 Sep. 2026
When the district refused to scrap those policies, the agency rescinded the unrelated federal grants.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of rescinded

Verb

Unlike Bryce Underwood’s final pass, the MAC’s Hail Mary to get the outcome overturned was destined to fail.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Police say five people have died and 40 others were injured after a Dutch tour bus slammed into a roadside crash barrier and overturned in eastern Switzerland.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of overturned

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backtrack

backtracked

backtracking

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“Backtracked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backtracked. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of backtracked

verb

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