Synonyms of regress

regress 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgres 

1

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

• revert
• return
• decline
• retrogress
• relapse
• lapse
• backslide
• worsen
• degenerate
• fall
• ebb
• throw back
• retrograde
• drop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• develop
• evolve
• advance
• grow
• progress
• mature
• ripen

2

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

• deteriorate
• worsen
• decline
• descend
• crumble
• diminish
• devolve
• degenerate
• decay
• atrophy
• rot
• ebb
• retrograde
• sink
• weaken
• run to seed
• disintegrate
• recede
• sag
• dwindle
• decompose
• fall
• wane
• degrade
• go to seed
• reduce
• go to pot
• downsize
• putrefy
• undermine
• abate
• slip
• dilapidate
• corrupt
• lessen
• languish
• sour
• debilitate
• fail
• spoil
• de-escalate
• lag
• break down
• waste (away)
• lower
• wilt
• droop
• molder
• run down
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• upgrade
• enhance
• proceed
• develop
• intensify
• strengthen
• meliorate
• progress
• enrich
• heighten
• fortify
• march
• advance

regress

2 of 2

noun

as in regression

Synonyms & Similar Words

• regression
• retrogression
• retreat
• recession
• ebb
• reflux
• return
• recess
• reversal
• retraction
• backwash
• reverse
• turnaround
• turnabout
• about-face

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• progress
• process
• advance
• progression
• advancement
• march
• passage
• flow
• way
• furtherance
• procession
• stream
• drift
• current
• headway
• going
• flux
• approach
• coming
• onrush
• arrival
• nearing
• advent

Examples of regress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The budget process regressed further after voters in 2010 endorsed a Democratic ballot measure, Proposition 25, that dropped the budget vote to a simple majority. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024

Public projection systems are predicting the Orioles will regress in 2024. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2024

Noun

Being required to regress to tasks that no longer challenge or utilize our skills can be demoralizing. —Guy Yehiav, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

That likely would be a quarterback following a disastrous third season by 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones, who continued to regress and was eventually benched in his first year under offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. —Kyle Hightower, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024