retrogress

[ re-truh-gres, re-truh-gres ]
/ ˌrɛ trəˈgrɛs, ˈrɛ trəˌgrɛs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR retrogress ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to go backward into an earlier and usually worse condition: to retrogress to infantilism.
to move backward.

Origin of retrogress

1810–20; < Latin retrōgressus past participle of retrōgradī to go back or backward, equivalent to retrō- retro- + gred-, combining form of gradī to step, go (see grade) + -tus past participle suffix, with dt > ss

Words nearby retrogress

retrograde ejaculation, retrograde embolism, retrograde hernia, retrograde menstruation, retrograde urography, retrogress, retrogression, retrogressive, retrohyoid bursa, retroject, retrojection

Words related to retrogress

worsen, revert, degenerate, retrograde

Example sentences from the Web for retrogress

British Dictionary definitions for retrogress

retrogress
/ (ˌrɛtrəʊˈɡrɛs) /

verb (intr)

to go back to an earlier, esp worse, condition; degenerate or deteriorate
to move backwards; recede
biology to develop characteristics or features of lower or simpler organisms; degenerate

Derived forms of retrogress

retrogression, noun retrogressive, adjective retrogressively, adverb

Word Origin for retrogress

C19: from Latin retrōgressus having moved backwards, from retrōgradī; see retrograde