REGRESS Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

regress 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgres

Definition of regress

as in to revert

to go back to a previous and usually lower state or level in extreme circumstances, people sometimes regress to the behavior they exhibited in childhood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deteriorate

to become worse or of less value the annual celebration has regressed to the point where it's nothing more than an excuse to get drunk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

regress

2 of 2

noun

as in regression

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 regress

Verb

Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, the trio of once-top prospects, seem to have regressed. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 Anagen is followed by a brief transitional phase called catagen, during which the follicle regresses and severs its connection to its blood supply. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Noun

Losing access to care, parents and providers said, could cause kids to regress and would require more intensive care or costly interventions later on. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026 The clue has been replaced by the data-trace; the villain by the algorithmic network; the crime by the infinite regress of surveillance itself. — Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for regress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress

Verb

The effect hasn’t mean-reverted.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 June 2026
These returns do not revert in subsequent trading days and are orders of magnitude larger than those outside the 24-hour pre-FOMC window.

— George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Definition of revert

Verb

They can also be used for de-aging characters, creating performances in different languages, or preserving the voice or likeness of an actor whose health is deteriorating, as was the case with CAA client Eric Dane.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026
Though concrete is a durable surface, concrete driveway repair is needed when the surface deteriorates and develops cracks over the years.

— Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Noun

Economic progress slows when that guarantee is taken away, as Hong Kong has witnessed in its sad regression from the promises of an independent judiciary made in 1997.

— Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
Every new line affects future releases, security reviews, onboarding, documentation, regression testing, infrastructure cost and customer support.

— Muhammad Muzammil Rawjani, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of regression

Verb

Season 42 continues on Monday with Caleb Groen returning as champion to face two new challengers.

— USA TODAY Staff, USA Today, 6 July 2026
In 2023 and 2024, Moreno rebuffed trade offers for Shohei Ohtani that could have returned the likes of Junior Caminero or Jackson Merrill.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of return

Verb

The uninterrupted sun dries out soil increasing drought risk, and light winds allow pollutants to build up, worsening air quality, particularly in urban areas.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 July 2026
People in the area are advised to remain ready to leave again if conditions worsen.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of worsen

Verb

Another witness said Lopez stood up twice as the aircraft began descending into Las Vegas, went to the restroom, then returned to his seat before suddenly launching the attack.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Around 1,000 attendees are expected to descend on Madison Square Garden over the next two days to celebrate the union of the music superstar and Super Bowl champion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of descend

Verb

Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Survivors say that doors to the facility were locked and that migrants were left to die inside crumbling walls.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of crumble

Browse Nearby Words

regnant

regress

regressed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of regress

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on regress

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gambol

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes