recede

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​cede ri-ˈsēd 

receded; receding

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move back or away : withdraw

a receding hairline

b

: to slant backward

2

: to grow less or smaller : diminish, decrease

a receding deficit

recede

2 of 2

verb (2)

re·​cede (ˌ)rē-ˈsēd 

receded; receding; recedes

transitive verb

: to cede back to a former possessor

Synonyms of recede

Verb (1)

• subside
• diminish
• decrease
• vanish
• fall

Choose the Right Synonym for recede

recede, retreat, retract, back 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

retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

Examples of recede in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance

after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Flooding of low-lying and/or poor drainage areas may continue for a few hours until the water has had a chance to recede. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 May 2026

Internally, there were long conversations about the team’s direction of travel, but with the prospect of qualifying for European football now receding, there was little cause for urgency. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Darker and more saturated colors can create depth, potentially making a room feel larger by receding from view. —Elizabeth Sweet, Southern Living, 23 May 2026

Throughout Francophone Africa, in Mali, Chad, and beyond, the backlash against receding French post-colonial influence amid attempts to unilaterally maintain its dominant position is evident. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go

Verb (2)

re- + cede

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1684, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recede

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

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