retrogressive

[re-truh-gres-iv]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retrogressive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by retrogression; degenerating.

Origin of retrogressive

1795–1805; < Latin retrōgress(us) (see retrogress) + -ive

Related formsret·ro·gres·sive·ly, adverbun·ret·ro·gres·sive, adjectiveun·ret·ro·gres·sive·ly, adverb

Synonyms for retrogressive

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retrogressive ON THESAURUS.COM

backward.

Antonyms for retrogressive

progressive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for retrogressive

Historical Examples of retrogressive

The reformer who was so recently "retrogressive" had now become a rival in reform.
Socialism As It Is
William English Walling
But man in himself, essentially, is at once progressive and retrogressive.
Modern Skepticism
C. J. Ellicott
Scott, it must be remembered, was a retrogressive influence.
James Frederick Ferrier
Elizabeth Sanderson Haldane
He is in fact a representative of retrogressive development.
The Evolutionist at Large
Grant Allen
This is one of the retrogressive measures which are daily occurrences in Russia.
Woman and Socialism
August Bebel

Word Origin and History for retrogressive

adj.

"tending to move backward," 1785, from Latin retrogress-, past participle stem of retrogradi "move backward, go backward" (see retrograde) + -ive. Related: Retrogressively.