backtrack
verb
back·track ˈbak-ˌtrak 
backtracked; backtracking; backtracks
intransitive verb
1
a
: to retrace one's course
b
: to go back to an earlier point in a sequence
2
: to reverse a position
Example Sentences
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 It’s been proven around the globe that politicians can be quick to backtrack on expensive climate policies when faced with economic trouble and an angry electorate. 
Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Soon, it was forced to backtrack and acknowledge that Johnson had in fact been informed. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 6 July 2022 Those who portrayed brick-and-mortar stores as a relic of retail’s past have had to backtrack in a major way. Bobby Marhamat, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Mordaunt has been forced by her rivals to backtrack on her support for transgender people. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2022 Sometimes a promising path doesn’t work out, and the team has to backtrack and find a different fork off from a previous trail. Tony Bradley, Forbes, 1 June 2022 But even China may yet be forced to backtrack on its control of the tech giants, as regulations have already weakened their productivity and, in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic, undermined the growth of the Chinese economy. Wendell Wallach, Fortune, 16 June 2022 On Sunday, during the CBS telecast of the final round of the RBC Canadian Open, Monahan didn’t backtrack on his decision. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 12 June 2022 Federal regulators rarely backtrack, especially as quickly as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 See More
Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Soon, it was forced to backtrack and acknowledge that Johnson had in fact been informed. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 6 July 2022 Those who portrayed brick-and-mortar stores as a relic of retail’s past have had to backtrack in a major way. Bobby Marhamat, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Mordaunt has been forced by her rivals to backtrack on her support for transgender people. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2022 Sometimes a promising path doesn’t work out, and the team has to backtrack and find a different fork off from a previous trail. Tony Bradley, Forbes, 1 June 2022 But even China may yet be forced to backtrack on its control of the tech giants, as regulations have already weakened their productivity and, in combination with the COVID-19 pandemic, undermined the growth of the Chinese economy. Wendell Wallach, Fortune, 16 June 2022 On Sunday, during the CBS telecast of the final round of the RBC Canadian Open, Monahan didn’t backtrack on his decision. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 12 June 2022 Federal regulators rarely backtrack, especially as quickly as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
backtrack
verb
back·track ˈbak-ˌtrak
backtracked; backtracking
: to go back over a course or a path
backtrack
verb
1
as in to revert
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- revert
- rescind
- countermand
- strike down
- overturn
- abrogate
- revoke
- reverse
- annul
- about-face
- switch
- repeal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- support
- maintain
- uphold
2
as in to backpedal
Synonyms & Similar Words
- backpedal
- retract
- recant
- recall
- wimp out
- take back
- disavow
- withdraw
- back down
- unsay
- back out
- renege
- repudiate
- forswear
- abjure
- cop out
- abnegate
- beg off
- back off
- foreswear
- chicken (out)
- cry off
- fink out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- adhere (to)
- satisfy
- keep
- comply (with)
- fulfill
- fulfil
- honor
- follow through (with)