backtrack
Retrace one's steps
To backtrack is to retrace your steps—returning along the path you came.
Hikers backtrack when they've gone the wrong way: We had to backtrack half a mile to find the trail.
Figuratively, backtrack means to reverse position on a statement or commitment: The senator backtracked on her promise to oppose the bill.
The noun backtrack is the path itself.
Go back again
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- reverseTurn to opposite
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- loopCurve closing on itself
pivot · veer · swerve · zigzag · detour · deviate · sidestep · circle
Formally withdraw a statement
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- disavowDeny any association
- renounceFormally give up
- repudiateReject as having no authority
flip-flop · backpedal · unsay · climb-down · retreat · rescind · revoke · disown
Turn to opposite
- revertReturn to earlier condition
- unwindRelease accumulated tension
- rollbackReturn to prior condition
- undoReverse a prior action
restore · reset · cancel · annul · nullify · erase · rescind · overturn
Acknowledge wrongdoing openly
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
- apologizeAcknowledge a fault
- recantFormally withdraw a statement
retract · humble-pie · backpedal · climb-down
Evaluate again differently
- reassessEvaluate a second time
- reviewCritical written assessment
- revisitExamine again later
- reexamineInspect once more
reevaluate · reconsider · second-guess · reflect · deliberate · ponder · analyze · reappraise
return
Go back again
loop · pivot · veer · swerve · zigzag · detour · deviate · sidestep · circle · recede
recant
Formally withdraw a statement
repudiate · flip-flop · backpedal · unsay · climb-down · retreat · rescind · revoke · disown · disclaim
reverse
Turn to opposite
undo · restore · reset · cancel · annul · nullify · erase · rescind · overturn · negate
confess
Acknowledge wrongdoing openly
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
- apologizeAcknowledge a fault
recant · retract · humble-pie · backpedal · climb-down
rethink
Evaluate again differently
reexamine · reevaluate · reconsider · second-guess · reflect · deliberate · ponder · analyze · reappraise · question
- Mazesmaze, labyrinth, corn maze, hedge maze, ball maze
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- returnsreturn, rebound, comeback, refund, rebate
- undoundo, undo button, revert, reverse, retract
- pullbacksretreat, withdrawal, recoil, fallback
- algorithmsalgorithm, algorithms, DFS, binary search, A star
backtrackadvance
Move or progress forward
forge ahead · press on · push forward · proceed · move forward
backtrackadvance
Move or progress forward
progress · forge ahead · gain ground · push forward · achieve
backtrackstand firm
Refuse to retreat
hold fast · stick to one's guns · stick to · double down · maintain