MEANING
1. To retrace a route by returning along the path already taken.
2. To withdraw or revise an earlier statement, decision, or position.
Use it for
Retrace a route or retreat from a position.The same verb links spatial retreat with the social drama of retracting a claim.
Words that belong together
- backtrack along a trail
- backtrack through snow
- backtrack on a promise
- backtrack from a claim
On the page
When the footbridge ended at floodwater, we backtracked to the ridge.
The minister backtracked after the leaked memo contradicted her denial.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- backtrack
- Past tense
- backtracked
- Past participle
- backtracked
- Present participle
- backtracking
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- backtrack
- Present continuous
- am/is/are backtracking
- Present perfect
- have/has backtracked
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been backtracking
- Past
- backtracked
- Past continuous
- was/were backtracking
- Past perfect
- had backtracked
- Past perfect continuous
- had been backtracking
- Future
- will backtrack
- Future continuous
- will be backtracking
- Future perfect
- will have backtracked
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been backtracking
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
The literal route sense means returning along the same path; the figurative sense is commonly “backtrack on” a claim or promise. Sense 2: Usually followed by “on” or “from” when it means retreating from a position; can imply inconsistency.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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