backtracks
Goes back over
Backtracks means to reverse course, either literally by retracing one's steps or figuratively by withdrawing from a position or statement.
Politicians backtrack on campaign promises; hikers backtrack when they realize they've taken a wrong turn.
After the public outcry, the company backtracked on its new pricing policy.
The word implies going back over ground already covered, often reluctantly or under pressure.
Reviews a prior judgment
- reconsidersReviews a prior decision
- second-guessesDoubts after deciding
- reassessesEvaluates a second time
- reevaluatesExamines again for worth
flip-flops · retracts · revises · disavows · rescinds
Route for traveling
- trailPath through wilderness
- routePath from A to B
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- hikingRecreational trail walking
wilderness · navigation · lost · orientation · waypoint · markers · breadcrumbs
Follows a path again
- retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries
- reversesSwitches to opposite direction
- returnsProfits from investments
- withdrawsPulls out or removes
recedes · rewinds · undoes · backpedals · retrogrades · regresses · retreads · revisits
Process invoking itself
- depth-firstExhausts branches before siblings
- searchAct of seeking
- pruningCutting vegetation for health
- branchingSplitting into separate directions
heuristic · enumeration · feasibility · exploration · solution · optimization · problem-solving · computational
rethinks
Reviews a prior judgment
- reconsidersReviews a prior decision
- second-guessesDoubts after deciding
- reassessesEvaluates a second time
reevaluates · flip-flops · retracts · revises · disavows · rescinds
path
Route for traveling
- trailPath through wilderness
- routePath from A to B
- footprintsMarks left by walking
hiking · wilderness · navigation · lost · orientation · waypoint · markers · breadcrumbs
retraces
Follows a path again
- retreatsBacks off or sanctuaries
- reversesSwitches to opposite direction
- returnsProfits from investments
withdraws · recedes · rewinds · undoes · backpedals · retrogrades · regresses · retreads · revisits
recursion
Process invoking itself
- depth-firstExhausts branches before siblings
- searchAct of seeking
- pruningCutting vegetation for health
branching · heuristic · enumeration · feasibility · exploration · solution · optimization · problem-solving · computational · dead-end
instrumental
Serving as means
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
bassline · loop · groove · karaoke · playback · recording · studio · remix · overdub
backtracksadvances
Forward movements or progress
proceeds · forges ahead · presses on · moves forward · pushes forward
backtracksholds fast
doubles down · sticks to · maintains · persists · reaffirms
backtracksforges ahead
Advances despite resistance
advances · progresses · pushes through · moves on · accelerates