backtrack
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But the legal arguments in this letter were so weak that no one pursued them seriously, and the Department of Justice later had to backtrack the arguments in court.
From Slate ● Apr. 29, 2026
The Wall Street Journal later reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the US giant was preparing to backtrack on its acquisition after the Chinese edict.
From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026
“The President has this tendency to TACO,” he said, referring to Trump’s tendency to announce tough policies only to backtrack on those announcements later.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026
Leaders in the child-care industry fear progress will backtrack.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 2, 2026
Or, maybe it’s something I should’ve Googled to find out the answer myself—but it’s too late to backtrack now.
From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender
The first half of the novel backtracks from the discovery of Pam’s body to the graduation party nine months prior, when each Bishop sister is struggling with serious financial hardship.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2025
To do so, the complex moves down DNA chains in one direction, but backtracks in certain scenarios.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024
Playing over the game, the result makes perfect sense: White plays way better than Black, with simple, strong developing moves while Carlsen wastes time and backtracks to no obvious purpose.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
A sharp cooling of inflation hints at an easier road for Bullock, after Lowe's controversy-filled legacy of painful backtracks and abrupt shifts that cost him a second term.
From Reuters ● Sep. 1, 2023
As he sees the look of horror that this suggestion prompts, he quickly backtracks.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Davis has since backtracked and pleaded not guilty.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
The United Kingdom, for instance, considered doing away with checks entirely in 2009, but ultimately backtracked after pensioners protested to members of Parliament.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
Millions of exhaust-belching motorbikes zip through Hanoi's narrow streets every day fuelling its chronic air pollution, but authorities have backtracked from an ambitious plan to ban them in favour of electric two-wheelers.
From Barron's ● May 19, 2026
Coke stock wobbled for weeks on the marketing gaffe, but the company backtracked in July and its stock rose 42% that year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
Urgency to see Ivan forgotten, she backtracked to the miller’s shop and went behind the row, running to the smithy’s back door.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
"For them, backtracking would mean losing their pioneering advantage."
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
Happily, the backtracking and throat-clearing ends a little less than halfway through, and from then on it’s all baseball.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Itauma - the prodigy who was sparring seasoned professionals while still at school - was in wonderful form from the first bell, using his speed and variation to send Franklin backtracking.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026
You have this breakup, and now she’s sort of backtracking like Elon Musk did.
From Salon ● Nov. 20, 2025
“It would sort of be backtracking if it turned more.”
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
