RETROGRESSION Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

retrogression

noun

ˌre-trə-ˈgre-shən

Definition of retrogression

as in reversion

the act or an instance of going back to an earlier and lower level especially of intelligence or behavior social instability that has led to a retrogression of moral values and standards of decent behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 retrogression This book is all about the fight to stem the tide of retrogression. — Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2025 Visa retrogression might become more of an issue for Indian and Chinese applicants who invest under the high-unemployment category due to its more limited availability. — Sam Silverman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 Does the Senate really want to put in office a secretary with zero medical training, who believes in raw milk and not in the extraordinary benefits of vaccinations, without asking him about such retrogression? — Arthur House, Hartford Courant, 22 Nov. 2024 Progressives de nos jours seem inordinately attached to retrogression. — Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 June 2021 What explains the wide perception of racial retrogression at a time when surveys show that racial attitudes and behaviors have never been better? — Jason L. Riley, WSJ, 27 Apr. 2021 For Fantom, his card showed nines of 40 and 39 for his 79, but his win wasn’t official until through retrogression, his score on the eighth handicap hole, was a stroke better better than that of Patterson Mill’s Brandon Palen, who also shot 79. — Randy McRoberts, baltimoresun.com, 24 Oct. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrogression

Noun

The next decades will be defined by explosive changes and waves of crises, not a reversion to the old order or the creation of a new one.

— Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
The study hypothesizes that the supergiant reversion may trigger a cool-down period.

— Jay Kakade July 23, Refractor, 23 July 2026

Definition of reversion

Noun

Over the following five weeks, four more episodes follow him through regression hypnosis, a naked woodland cult and a flotation tank, trailed by a life coach played by comedian Will Hislop, whose credentials came from Instagram.

— Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Today, thanks in part to central air conditioning, there’s a growing argument to keep students in school longer to combat academic regression, as research has shown time off negatively impacts student performance.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of regression

Browse Nearby Words

retrogressing

retrogression

retrogressions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of retrogression

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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?

Popular in Wordplay

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?'

Popular

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes