recede

¹

[ ri-seed ]

verb (used without object)

, re·ced·ed, re·ced·ing.

1. to go or move away; retreat; go to or toward a more distant point; withdraw.
2. to become more distant.
3. (of a color, form, etc., on a flat surface) to move away or be perceived as moving away from an observer, especially as giving the illusion of space. Compare advance ( def 15 ).
4. to slope backward:

   a chin that recedes.

5. to draw back or withdraw from a conclusion, viewpoint, undertaking, promise, etc.

   Synonyms: retreat, retire

recede

²

[ ree-seed ]

verb (used with object)

, re·ced·ed, re·ced·ing.

1. to cede back; yield or grant to a former possessor.

recede

/ rɪˈsiːd /

verb

1. to withdraw from a point or limit; go back

   the tide receded

2. to become more distant

   hopes of rescue receded

3. to slope backwards

   apes have receding foreheads

4. 1. (of a man's hair) to cease to grow at the temples and above the forehead
   2. (of a man) to start to go bald in this way
5. to decline in value or character
6. usually foll by from to draw back or retreat, as from a promise

Word History and Origins

Origin of recede¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Latin recēdere “to go back, fall back”; equivalent to re- + cede

Origin of recede²

First recorded in 1765–75; re- + cede

Word History and Origins

Origin of recede¹

C15: from Latin recēdere to go back, from re- + cēdere to yield, cede

Example Sentences

Despite those obstacles, Chase’s success may keep it invested in Duckett’s vision once pandemic restrictions recede.

From Ozy

However, by 1876 the issues of the war had begun to recede in political importance.

From Washington Post

The unique impact of the coronavirus recession makes a fast recovery possible, but even after the pandemic recedes, the global economy will be facing a myriad of problems.

From Quartz

In broad strokes, the way to gauge cosmic expansion is to figure out how far away distant galaxies are and how fast they’re receding from us.

From Quanta Magazine

Once the coronavirus pandemic recedes, engineers from his lab will move into partner communities while they work on improving the system.

From Washington Post

Russia has far grander plans to secure its claims in the north as the permanent ice caps recede.

From The Daily Beast

He is six feet and 201 pounds and has brown hair that is beginning to recede at the temples.

From The Daily Beast

She was briefly outed by Red as a mole and then allowed to recede into the background again.

From The Daily Beast

My guess is that in the final moments of the season the supernatural elements of the show will recede.

From The Daily Beast

The Qataris need to recede from the stage, Kabul will never trust them.

From The Daily Beast

The wave of religious fanaticism sweeping over the land might recede as rapidly as it had risen.

From Project Gutenberg

The jungles here recede, and their place is occupied by beautiful plantations of rice, and other vegetables.

From Project Gutenberg

It will help to keep me in touch with the outside world, which daily seems to recede further.

From Project Gutenberg

The girls would not recede from their position; work had to be found for the girl elsewhere.

From Project Gutenberg

For instance, the forehead may recede from the wire at the top, or the nose may have a different slant or shape.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abate
• decrease
• diminish
• dwindle
• ebb
• fade
• fall back
• lessen
• reduce
• retreat
• shrink
• sink
• subside
• taper
• wane