retrograde 1 of 3

adjective

ˈre-trə-ˌgrād How to pronounce retrograde (audio)
Definition of retrogradenext
1
as in backward
directed, turned, or done toward the back retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retro
pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time the loft's retrograde decor seeks to capture the look and feel of the swinging '60s

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

retrograde

2 of 3

verb

as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civilization seriously retrograded

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

retrograde

3 of 3

adverb

as in counterclockwise

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of retrograde
Adjective
Chiron turns retrograde in your 11th House of Friends, bringing up old sensitivity around belonging, loyalty, or being the one who keeps everyone emotionally fed. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 More scientifically referred to as retrograde duct flow, this is the mechanism by which breastfeeding babies shoot spit into the nipple of whomever is nursing them. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 29 July 2026
Verb
However, the problem is the moon’s square to Pluto retrograde along with its clash to the sun and Jupiter, so flexibility isn’t going to come naturally — not even close. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 Saturn stations retrograde in your 2nd House of Resources, asking you to review spending, earning, values, and the cost of saying yes too easily. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrograde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrograde
  1. backward
  2. retro
  3. deteriorate
  4. counterclockwise
  5. vintage
  6. descend
  7. antique
  8. decline
Adjective
  • Reacher explodes into action, kicking over a table, executing a backward roll into the guy behind him while handcuffed, then redirecting that guy’s tranq gun against the other Men in Black.
    — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Passkey architects have been keenly aware of this difference, which is largely necessary for Windows backward-compatibility reasons.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of backward
Adjective
  • Roughly 10 miles from downtown in North Austin’s Domain district, this four-acre western-style retro hotel is near tech offices and steps from a wide mix of dining, designer shopping, and Rock Rose, the area’s nightlife hub.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Habity Design The Habity bedside clock looks like a familiar retro alarm clock, but inside sits a low-power e-paper screen, a speaker, and a small collection of calming sounds.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of retro
Verb
  • But the journey can turn rough when wind and sea conditions deteriorate, Agnos said, particularly around the Cyclades, where seasonal Meltemi winds can churn up the Aegean.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • After approximately three weeks in the field, a supervisor allegedly sent her home after observing that her physical condition was deteriorating.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Adverb
  • Alex Wix, who has traveled extensively around Iceland by car and plans private itineraries through her company, Wixsquared, recommends driving it counterclockwise.
    — Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Complete 10 circles clockwise and 10 circles counterclockwise.
    — RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 24 June 2026
Definition of counterclockwise
Adjective
  • The Soft Symmetry is crafted in both a smooth calf leather, with a gleaming gold lock closure, and a vintage leather, with accompanying matte silver hardware that gives it an intentionally patinaed look and slouchy feel.
    — Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The rooms are furnished with just the right amount of country Western kitsch, complete with a wood-burning fireplace, Pendleton blankets, and vintage paintings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of vintage
Verb
  • As thousands of car enthusiasts prepare to descend on Metro Detroit for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, a Michigan lawmaker is pushing legislation to crack down on excessively loud vehicles.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Baseball descended on this site — just 20 miles from where the Hawkeye state intersects with Wisconsin and Illinois across the Mississippi River, where the iconic 1989 movie starring Kevin Costner was filmed.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of descend
Adjective
  • The 1950s coffee table is topped with an antique metal Korean grain smasher.
    — Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Sumptuously furnished with vintage and antique decor, the rooms make a statement through bold colors, custom kimono bathrobes, and handmade Hästens beds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of antique
Verb
  • Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And the university, which declined an interview request about the new program, is not the first to offer content creation courses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

retrofitting
retrograde
retrograded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retrograde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrograde. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on retrograde

Nglish: Translation of retrograde for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All