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
Once the water receded, the mangrove was in such dire condition that researchers brought kiddie pools to the site to fill up with freshwater.—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 July 2024 As the water receded with the tide from the mouth of two creeks in Taiwan, the gravelly bottom came into view.—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 July 2024
Verb
Lush vegetation has grown up in the decades since Muir glacier melted and receded.—Lesley Evans Ogden, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023 Majed al-Sorour, a LIV board member, was seen as central to LIV’s operations before his profile receded recently for reasons that have not been made public.—Guilbert Gates, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for recede
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recede.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go
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