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
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under pressure after signing a bill that would strip independence from anti-corruption agencies, drawing widespread protests for the first time since the Russian invasion in 2022 — before appearing to backtrack on the law Thursday.
—
Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 28 July 2025
But in the aftermath of the catastrophic and deadly floods in Texas, the White House is now backtracking by hinting that the federal emergency management agency should be overhauled.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
For investors, a perennial question is whether and when markets will react strongly enough to lead politicians to backtrack.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Bondi also seemed to backtrack from her past promises about the case.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 28 July 2025
But in the aftermath of the catastrophic and deadly floods in Texas, the White House is now backtracking by hinting that the federal emergency management agency should be overhauled.
—Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
For investors, a perennial question is whether and when markets will react strongly enough to lead politicians to backtrack.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Bondi also seemed to backtrack from her past promises about the case.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 15 July 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 2 Aug. 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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