retrogress

[ re-truh-gres, re-truh-gres ]

verb (used without object)

1. to go backward into an earlier and usually worse condition:

   to retrogress to infantilism.

   Synonyms: revert, retreat, withdraw, retrograde, degenerate, decline

2. to move backward.

retrogress

/ ˌrɛtrəʊˈɡrɛs /

verb

1. to go back to an earlier, esp worse, condition; degenerate or deteriorate
2. to move backwards; recede
3. biology to develop characteristics or features of lower or simpler organisms; degenerate

Derived Forms

• ˌretroˈgression, noun
• ˌretroˈgressively, adverb
• ˌretroˈgressive, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrogress¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Latin retrōgressus, past participle of retrōgradī “to go back or backward,” equivalent to retrō- “back, backward, behind” + gred-, combining form of gradī “to step, go” + -tus past participle suffix, with dt becoming ss; retro-

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrogress¹

C19: from Latin retrōgressus having moved backwards, from retrōgradī ; see retrograde

Example Sentences

“I felt I had worked far too hard, that we had come far too far to have to retrogress to 1935. My way of dealing with it was to see that it was really a piece of Americana, of American history, whether we liked it or not. Whether I sing it or not, it was still going to be there.”

From New York Times

“People who’ve had the vaccinations are very unlikely to have clinically significant disease even from the delta variant. I think until there is data showing that that is no longer operational, there should be no need to retrogress into a masked-up Congress or a masked-up state.”

From Washington Times

Justice Department approval for changes to political boundaries, legislators in charge of redistricting are expected not to retrogress - that is, they are expected not to decrease the percentage of districts where African American voters have a chance to elect a candidate of their choice.

From Washington Times

“With the freedoms we have created, Liberia cannot retrogress,” she says.

From Washington Post

"The carefully engineered test bed for North Korea's nascent nuclear missile force would be destroyed, and its attempt to retrogress to Cold War threats thwarted," they added.

From Seattle Times