How to Use backtrack in a Sentence

backtrack

verb
Definition of backtracknext
Synonyms for backtracknext
  • 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.
  • The backlash was enough for Trump to backtrack later in the day.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 4 June 2019
  • Storms have been known to backtrack or loop — or even stand still.
    — Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2019
  • So kind of like backtrack the ball and start driving it the other way.
    — Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2023
  • Trump backtracked, and the House is still trying to hammer out a bill.
    — David Rovella, Bloomberg.com, 18 Jan. 2018
  • In his second tweet, Trump seemed to backtrack, pushing for the act to be re-upped.
    — Anchorage Daily News, 11 Jan. 2018
  • Leaders in the United States and Britain have promised too much too soon, and have had to backtrack.
    — New York Times, 22 Aug. 2021
  • Going over the hood and having to backtrack to the hydrant would create a nasty kink in the hose.
    — Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 15 Aug. 2020
  • The spokesman later backtracked and stated the hikes were a result of the bill's approval.
    — Jim Puzzanghera, latimes.com, 30 Jan. 2018
  • Hawaii is not the first state to pause or backtrack on its reopening plans, of course.
    — Dawn Gilbertson, USA TODAY, 14 July 2020
  • The killer or killers then backtracked through the crime scene, bludgeoning his victims dozens of more times in the head.
    — Sean Neumann, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024
  • The group backtracked the next day, but many were outraged and accused the group of antisemitism.
    — Clyde McGrady, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024
  • The cut shot to No. 20, then backtracked one rung, before soaring once more.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
  • Many brands backtrack at the first sign of repercussions.
    — Dorothy Crenshaw, Forbes, 21 May 2021
  • Cole breaks through the bedroom door and tries to guide his brother out of the party, backtracking through the house.
    — Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2023
  • In the end, Trump seems to have failed to strike a deal, backtracked on his threat to lift tariffs, and still claimed victory.
    — Heather Timmons, Quartz, 11 June 2019
  • The singer quickly backtracked on his comments but the damage was done.
    — Shannon Power, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
  • Since then, the Fed has backtracked to some extent and slightly modified its stance to bear some of the blame.
    — Steve H. Hanke, National Review, 4 May 2023
  • The UConn men flew east across two time zones, then backtracked west on a bus back into Central time.
    — Dom Amore, courant.com, 22 Dec. 2017
  • Rather than squeeze through the crowd, she was forced to backtrack to another sidewalk.
    — Nora Mishanec, SFChronicle.com, 16 Oct. 2020
  • Weeks of protests against the reform have not convinced the government to backtrack on the effort.
    — Claire Parker, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2023
  • The figures follow a year when the company backtracked on many of its plans.
    — Patrick Frater, Variety, 14 May 2024
  • Many backtracked on the exodus and returned to join the party.
    — Nancy Ing, NBC News, 11 Sep. 2024
  • A day later, Jones tried to backtrack from his remarks.
    — Keith Pompey, Philly.com, 30 Jan. 2018
  • Those who find themselves at the trail closure itself can backtrack and walk straight through the campground to find the trail at the entrance.
    — oregonlive, 6 Oct. 2021
  • Mazda backtracked to drums for the rear brakes; the previous ES had solid discs.
    — Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 1 June 2023
  • Texas reopened quicker than most of the U.S., only to backtrack in the face of massive outbreaks.
    — Paul J. Weber, Star Tribune, 4 Aug. 2020
  • Adebayo closed out on Toppin’s 3-point attempt before backtracking to impede a lob attempt in the clip below.
    — James Jackson, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The prime minister tried to dismiss Gallant last year over his criticisms of the government’s judicial overhaul plans but backtracked after a public outcry.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backtrack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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