regress
verb (used without object)
to move backward; go back.
were regressing
-
past progressiveof regress.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You didn’t need nine hours of talk radio to absorb it: These Patriots were overrated, these Patriots were regressing, these Patriots were staring at a season they could be worse than the freaking Jets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
“I think we were regressing over a period of time.”
From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2017
In case a couple of losses last week made you fear the Washington Wizards were regressing to their rickety, early-season form, they righted themselves Tuesday night in the most impressive way they possibly could.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 28, 2017
“If we were regressing, or we weren’t moving forward, if there weren’t so many positive things, I think it would become a bigger issue than it was, or is,” Bielema said.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 7, 2014
The specimen from Tenom was taken in a bird net set in a grass-scrubland situation; the testes were regressing.
From Birds from North Borneo University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History, Volume 17, No. 8, pp. 377-433, October 27, 1966 by Max C. Thompson
