RECEDE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'recede' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of recede are back , retract , and retreat . While all these words mean "to move backward," recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space. // the flood waters gradually receded

Q: In what contexts can 'back' take the place of 'recede'?

The meanings of back and recede largely overlap; however, back is used with up, down, out , or off to refer to any retrograde motion. // backed off on the throttle

Q: When could 'retract' be used to replace 'recede'?

In some situations, the words retract and recede are roughly equivalent. However, retract implies drawing back from an extended position. // a cat retracting its claws

Q: When would 'retreat' be a good substitute for 'recede'?

While the synonyms retreat and recede are close in meaning, retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached. // retreating soldiers

recede

verb

ri-ˈsēd

Definition of recede next

as in to subside

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to withdraw

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb recede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of recede are back, retract, and retreat. While all these words mean "to move backward," recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.

the flood waters gradually receded

In what contexts can back take the place of recede?

The meanings of back and recede largely overlap; however, back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

When could retract be used to replace recede?

In some situations, the words retract and recede are roughly equivalent. However, retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

When would retreat be a good substitute for recede?

While the synonyms retreat and recede are close in meaning, retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

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 recede On June 6, a man with a slightly receding hairline walked into a beachside tattoo stand in Chennai, India, showed the proprietor a message on a phone screen, and, with video recording the whole process, settled in to get a line of text apparently tattooed across his forehead. —

T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 12 June 2026 Good habits on offense receded, and the Knicks found their rhythm. —

Joe Vardon, New York Times, 12 June 2026 When global liquidity recedes, investors punish countries running both budget and current‑account deficits — and Indonesia has twin gaps. —

William Pesek, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 But make no mistake, the Emmy winner and two-time Oscar nominee has no regrets about her decision to recede from the public eye. —

Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for recede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recede

Verb

Lugo now has time to let his symptoms subside.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Yet while the pace of inflation subsided, bringing Social Security cost-of-living adjustments down in subsequent years, consumer prices have mostly stayed higher.

— Lorie Konish, CNBC, 12 June 2026