recede

¹ American  

[ri-seed] / rɪˈsid /

verb (used without object)

receded, receding

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.

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 American  

[ree-seed] / riˈsid /

verb (used with object)

receded, receding

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

---

recede British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

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

Explanation

Recede means to pull back, retreat, or become faint or distant. Flood waters recede, as do glaciers, and even abstractions like "panic" and "hope." Think "receding hairline." (That means bald.) Cede means "to yield." Politicians, after losing an election will "cede the field" or "concede the race." Recede means to yield back. Over time, this word has taken on the sense of fading or growing faint, as in "The ghostly vision of a woman receded into the fog."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

recede receded receding

Dentine is the softer layer beneath enamel, and it can become exposed when enamel wears away or gums recede.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Those fears began to recede in 2008 with D.C. v.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

Japan could also be a beneficiary if oil prices recede.

From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026

But he looks the part — Jackman has a commendable willingness to recede inside himself — even though after the rousing opening, the script gives him almost nothing to do.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

“And this is after—” The lights start to recede, the patches shrinking like puddles of water drying in the sun.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

Initially, airlines were only covering a portion of the run-up through higher fares, but that started to change as fuel prices receded.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

While immigration sweeps have receded from the headlines, Garcia Venegas’ most recent incident highlights how the mistaken detention of Americans has continued despite congressional inquiries and denials by senior immigration officials.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

In the six-month period after its value peaked in 2000, the semiconductor index receded more than 25%, while Intel and AMD lost more than half of their share price.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

The issue has receded somewhat since 2025, for much of which China and the US seemed on the verge of a trade war.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

While not as severe as the storm of ’33, which became a legend before its waters receded, the storm of ’42 is the one I will never forget.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

The point at which galaxies begin receding faster than light is called the Hubble distance.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

For weeks, he has encountered furious pushback from people across the state, largely over the potential impact on the Great Salt Lake, which has been receding for years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

Deep green hills covered in dense trees rise in the background, receding into the far distance — representing the many ways that wild land seems to thrive in this vast urban space.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

You may have a hard time believing that the gold-platinum ratio is falling because geopolitical risk is receding.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 17, 2026

His receding hairline made him look older than he was.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

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