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
Like the ravenous guest at a buffet, the defense has gobbled up the fact that Buzbee appeared to backtrack a step or two on his client after that NBC News interview.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
Local and federal officials warned Trump about how his politically motivated rhetoric could be causing harm as the areas hit attempted to rebuild; however, the president-elect often refused to backtrack.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2025
Residential heating difficulties stemming from dependence on coal forced China to backtrack on gasification efforts except in some particularly polluted urban locales.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The committee had originally voted against releasing its findings, but then backtracked and voted last week to release its investigation into the former congressman.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backtrack 
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Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
Local and federal officials warned Trump about how his politically motivated rhetoric could be causing harm as the areas hit attempted to rebuild; however, the president-elect often refused to backtrack.
—Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2025
Residential heating difficulties stemming from dependence on coal forced China to backtrack on gasification efforts except in some particularly polluted urban locales.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The committee had originally voted against releasing its findings, but then backtracked and voted last week to release its investigation into the former congressman.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backtrack
Dictionary Entries Near backtrack
Cite this Entry
“Backtrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backtrack. Accessed 22 Jan. 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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