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

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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 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 Progressives de nos jours seem inordinately attached to retrogression. — Kyle Smith, National Review, 8 June 2021 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 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 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 tradwife trend is controversial in that it is seen by some as a rejection of feminism and a reversion to a seemingly simpler time.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026
No photos have been revealed yet for next year’s release, but the reversion to the name Super Freak suggests the original details should return as well.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Definition of reversion

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

Browse Nearby Words

retrogressing

retrogression

retrogressions

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“Retrogression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrogression. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrogression

noun

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