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
Readers can backtrack to a specific choice and go in a different direction.
—
Rob Wieland, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
In the early days of the second Trump administration, prominent donors like Mark Zuckerberg have enthusiastically backtracked on their own DEI policies.
—David Campbell, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
Reversed plan to shut down free COVID test program
The Trump Administration in mid-February backtracked on its plan to end the government’s free COVID-19 test distribution program just minutes before its website, COVIDtests.gov, was set to shut down.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
On Monday, Longoria backtracked from his initial outburst in a statement released to AFP.
—Luke Bosher, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backtrack
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.
Rob Wieland, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
In the early days of the second Trump administration, prominent donors like Mark Zuckerberg have enthusiastically backtracked on their own DEI policies.
—David Campbell, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
Reversed plan to shut down free COVID test program
The Trump Administration in mid-February backtracked on its plan to end the government’s free COVID-19 test distribution program just minutes before its website, COVIDtests.gov, was set to shut down.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025
On Monday, Longoria backtracked from his initial outburst in a statement released to AFP.
—Luke Bosher, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share