regress

²re·gress

verb \ri-ˈgres\

Definition of REGRESS

intransitive verb

1

a : to make or undergo regress : retrograde b : to be subject to or exhibit regression

2

: to tend to approach or revert to a mean

transitive verb

: to induce a state of psychological regression in

— re·gres·sor \-ˈgre-sər\ noun

Examples of REGRESS

1. The patient is regressing to a childlike state.
2. <in extreme circumstances, people sometimes regress to the behavior they exhibited in childhood>

First Known Use of REGRESS

1552

Related to REGRESS

Synonyms: retrogress, return, revert

Antonyms: advance, develop, evolve, progress

Related Words: backslide, lapse, relapse; throw back; ebb; decline, degenerate, drop, fall, retrograde, worsen

Near Antonyms: grow, mature, ripen

see all synonyms and antonyms

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