regress

[ verb ri-gres; noun ree-gres ]

verb (used without object)

1. to move backward; go back.

   Synonyms: ebb, lapse, backslide, retreat, revert

2. to revert to an earlier or less advanced state or form.

noun

1. the act of going back; return.
2. the right to go back.
3. backward movement or course; retrogression.

regress

verb

1. intr to return or revert, as to a former place, condition, or mode of behaviour
2. tr statistics to measure the extent to which (a dependent variable) is associated with one or more independent variables

noun

1. the act of regressing
2. movement in a backward direction; retrogression
3. logic a supposed explanation each stage of which requires to be similarly explained, as saying that knowledge requires a justification in terms of propositions themselves known to be true

Derived Forms

• reˈgressor, noun

Other Words From

• re·gressor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of regress¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English regresse (noun), from Latin regressus “a return,” noun use of past participle of regredī “to go back, return,” from re- re- + -gredī, combining form of gradī “to step, walk, go”; gradient

Word History and Origins

Origin of regress¹

C14: from Latin regressus a retreat, from regredī to go back, from re- + gradī to go

Example Sentences

“I don’t want the country to regress right back to the same state it was with Trump,” he added.

From BBC

“The rehabilitation process isn’t entirely fun, and if there are places you advance, there are of course places where you also regress,” Ohtani said when asked about the serendipitous coincidence.

From Los Angeles Times

“I knew that I was going to feel uncomfortable having to walk back into this place after seeing it regress and go backwards in time”, said Mr Carter, who is black.

From BBC

You age regress and look for a strong father or mother figure or other authoritarian leader to tell you what to do.

From Salon

Last year, then-coach Brandon Staley brought in a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore with designs of improving the ground game, only for the rushing attack to regress.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• degenerate
• deteriorate
• ebb
• fall back
• fall off
• recede
• revert