backtrack
verb
back·track
| \ ˈbak-ˌtrak
\
\
backtracked;
backtracking;
backtracks
Definition of backtrack
1a
: 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
But Trump has backtracked after expressing support for background checks and other measures. — BostonGlobe.com, "Ninety percent of poll respondents said they were in favor of requiring background checks,," 10 Sep. 2019 But the governor backtracked on his support this week by asking for a second set of amendments to soften the bill. — Los Angeles Times, "California vaccine bill supporters and critics are baffled by Newsom’s sudden changes," 5 Sep. 2019 Trump, however, backtracked Wednesday on a tax-cut package. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, "Donald Trump says he's not considering tax cut package, just one day after saying he was," 21 Aug. 2019 For lunch, backtrack five minutes to bustling Noyo Harbor and Princess Seafood Market & Deli (32140 North Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg, 707-962-3123, fvprincess.com/p/fish-market). — Sarah Feldberg, SFChronicle.com, "Mendocino calls as dining destination," 18 Aug. 2019 Israel partially backtracked on Friday morning, announcing that Tlaib would be allowed into the country to visit her 90-year-old grandmother, who lives in the West Bank, on humanitarian grounds. — Alana Abramson, Time, "How Israel's Travel Ban on Reps. Omar and Tlaib Is Uniting Democrats — Including Their Critics," 16 Aug. 2019 Bolton's trip to London and Johnson's apparent backtracking on allowing the Chinese tech giant to build part pf the UK's 5G network is one of several signals that the UK is tilting towards Trump. — Nic Robertson, CNN, "Boris Johnson stakes future on Donald Trump after Brexit. The gamble may break Britain," 24 Aug. 2019 The easiest way to get there by air from the United States is to catch a flight to Denmark and then backtrack with a flight to one of Greenland’s airports, which will easily cost an additional $1,000, according to an online search. — Alyssa Newcomb, NBC News, "All that talk about Greenland has led to a triple-digit spike in tourism searches," 23 Aug. 2019 President Trump endorsed expanded background checks after last year’s school shooting in Parkland, Fla., but backtracked after meeting with NRA leaders days later. — Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, "Mass shootings give gun control cause new strength — for now," 6 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backtrack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for backtrack
backtrack
verb
English Language Learners Definition of backtrack
: to go back over a course or path
: to return to something that was mentioned before
: to completely change what you think or say about something
See the full definition for backtrack in the English Language Learners Dictionary
backtrack
verb
back·track
| \ ˈbak-ˌtrak
\
\
backtracked;
backtracking
Kids Definition of backtrack
: to go back over a course or a path