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retrogress

[ re-truh-gres, re-truh-gres ]
/ ˌrɛ trəˈgrɛs, ˈrɛ trəˌgrɛs /
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See synonyms for retrogress on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
to go backward into an earlier and usually worse condition: to retrogress to infantilism.
to move backward.
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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-

Words nearby retrogress

retrofocus lens, retrogradation, retrograde, retrograde amnesia, retrograde ejaculation, retrogress, retrogression, retrogressive, retroject, retrolental, retrolental fibroplasia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to retrogress

degenerate, retrograde, revert, worsen

How to use retrogress in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for retrogress

retrogress
/ (ˌrɛtrəʊˈɡrɛs) /
verb (intr)
to go back to an earlier, esp worse, condition; degenerate or deteriorate
to move backwards; recede
biology to develop characteristics or features of lower or simpler organisms; degenerate

Derived forms of retrogress

retrogression, nounretrogressive, adjectiveretrogressively, adverb

Word Origin for retrogress

C19: from Latin retrōgressus having moved backwards, from retrōgradī; see retrograde
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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