retrogress

R1E1T1R1O1G2R1E1S1S1

verb

To return to an earlier, simpler or worse condition; to regress.

Similar
regressretrograderelapselapserecidivatefall back
Opposite
progress
OriginLatin retrōgressus →
Scrabble 11
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Meanings

verbretrogress (third-person singular simple present retrogresses, present participle retrogressing, simple past and past participle retrogressed)

present singular third person retrogresses · participle present retrogressing · participle past retrogressed · past retrogressed

  1. intransitiveTo return to an earlier, simpler or worse condition; to regress.
  2. intransitiveTo go backwards; to retreat.
  3. intransitiveTo return to bad behaviour; to relapse.
nounretrogress (plural retrogresses)

plural retrogresses

  1. A retrogression.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
progress

verbget worse or fall back to a previous condition

Similar
regressretrograde
Broader
worsendecline

verbgo back to bad behavior

Similar
relapselapserecidivateregressfall back
Broader
revertreturnretrovert
Also see
fall backlapserecidivateregressrelapseretrograde

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Latinretrōgressus
  2. Englishretrogress

From Latin retrōgressus, perfect active participle of retrōgradior (“retrograde”).

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

retrogress. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/retrogress

MLA

“retrogress.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/retrogress. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “retrogress,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/retrogress.

Source: retrogress on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.