recede

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​cede ri-ˈsēd How to pronounce recede (audio)
receded; receding
Synonyms of recede

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move back or away : withdraw
a receding hairline
b
: to slant backward
2
: to grow less or smaller : diminish, decrease
a receding deficit

recede

2 of 2

verb (2)

re·​cede (ˌ)rē-ˈsēd How to pronounce recede (audio)
receded; receding; recedes

transitive verb

: to cede back to a former possessor

Synonyms of recede

Relevance

Verb (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for recede

recede, retreat, retract, back mean to move backward.

recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.

the flood waters gradually receded

retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

Examples of recede in a Sentence

Verb (1) the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
And as the reservoir continues to recede, officials expect there could be more surprises waiting beneath the surface. — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Their top worries are still weak demand (56 percent of respondents) and geopolitical uncertainty (46 percent), but concerns about raw material prices, energy costs, and tariffs have all receded. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026 Oil prices have been easing recently as geopolitical headwinds recede, curbing the likelihood of higher inflation. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 As the population grew, and construction and pollution crept closer to water sources, many springs have since dried up or receded to thin trickles. — Umar Farooq, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recede

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go

Verb (2)

re- + cede

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recede was in the 15th century

Rhymes for recede

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Browse Nearby Words

recce
recede
recedence
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recede. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

recede

verb
re·​cede
ri-ˈsēd
receded; receding
1
a
: to move back or away
the flood waters receded
b
: to slant backward
a receding forehead
2
: to grow less or smaller
a receding debt

More from Merriam-Webster on recede

Nglish: Translation of recede for Spanish Speakers

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