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retrogressive

[re-truh-gres-iv]
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adjective
  1. characterized by retrogression; degenerating.
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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

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backward.

Antonyms

progressive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

asternbehindinvertedrearwardretrograderegressive

Examples from the Web for retrogressive

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • This is one of the retrogressive measures which are daily occurrences in Russia.

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper