retrogress

American  

[re-truh-gres, re-truh-gres] / ˌrɛ trəˈgrɛs, ˈrɛ trəˌgrɛs /

verb (used without object)

1. to go backward into an earlier and usually worse condition.

   to retrogress to infantilism.

   Synonyms:

   revert, retreat, withdraw, retrograde, degenerate, decline

2. to move backward.

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retrogress British  

/ ˌrɛtrəʊˈɡrɛs /

verb

1. to go back to an earlier, esp worse, condition; degenerate or deteriorate

2. to move backwards; recede

3. biology to develop characteristics or features of lower or simpler organisms; degenerate

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Other Word Forms

• retrogression
  noun
• retrogressive
  adjective
• retrogressively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of retrogress

First recorded in 1810–20; from Latin retrōgressus, past participle of retrōgradī “to go back or backward,” equivalent to retrō- “back, backward, behind” + gred-, combining form of gradī “to step, go” + -tus past participle suffix, with dt becoming ss; see retro-