retrogressive

[ re-truh-gres-iv ]

adjective

1. characterized by retrogression; degenerating.

   Synonyms: backward

   Antonyms: progressive

Other Words From

• retro·gressive·ly adverb
• unret·ro·gressive adjective
• unret·ro·gressive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrogressive¹

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

Example Sentences

True, retrogressive forms occasionally occur in this as well as in most other sorts of myth and of literary composition.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, however, we also discern certain tendencies of a retrogressive nature.

From Project Gutenberg

On the contrary, the tendency of the saint legend is retrogressive, namely, toward a return to the mrchen stage of myth.

From Project Gutenberg

They sat on the floor and imbibed germs, and they did all sorts of unscientific, retrogressive things.

From Project Gutenberg

On this junction being effected retrogressive changes take place in the original subintestinal vessel.

From Project Gutenberg