recede

verb

re·​cede (ˌ)rē-ˈsēd How to pronounce recede (audio)
receded; receding; recedes
Synonyms of recede

transitive verb

: to cede back to a former possessor

Examples of recede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Sagrada Familia is a global pulpit, but it's set in a country where Christianity is receding. ABC News, 9 June 2026 Time became a blur, and the world outside the apartment seemed to recede. Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 But for a new generation of advocates, regaining paradise seems possible as the reservoir’s shorelines recede, bringing more than 100,000 acres of rugged terrain out of the water. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026 The dark hue recedes, letting your eyes focus on the scenery outside. Gary Thompson, Midwest Living, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for recede

Word History

Etymology

re- + cede

First Known Use

1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recede was in 1684

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recede. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

recede

verb
re·​cede
ri-ˈsēd
receded; receding
1
a
: to move back or away
the flood waters receded
b
: to slant backward
a receding forehead
2
: to grow less or smaller
a receding debt

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