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
Flex work options are too popular to ditch While an individual company may decide to backtrack on its remote work policies, the numbers suggest that’s not happening widely.
—
Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024
At the time, the government eventually backtracked and the protests died down.
—Verena Hölzl, TIME, 25 Sep. 2024
In August, the Biden administration backtracked on a controversial plea deal for the terrorists behind the attack following public outrage.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 11 Sep. 2024
Back in 2017, Trump appeared to backtrack on plans to have Kennedy lead a commission on vaccine safety.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backtrack 
Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024
At the time, the government eventually backtracked and the protests died down.
—Verena Hölzl, TIME, 25 Sep. 2024
In August, the Biden administration backtracked on a controversial plea deal for the terrorists behind the attack following public outrage.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 11 Sep. 2024
Back in 2017, Trump appeared to backtrack on plans to have Kennedy lead a commission on vaccine safety.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for backtrack
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.
Dictionary Entries Near backtrack
Cite this Entry
“Backtrack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backtrack. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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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