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

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

Then the fireballs receded and the shadows reabsorbed the light. —Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025

As the Cold War receded into history, fears of nuclear war abated. —Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

As federal supervision recedes, risk flows downstream. —Paul Davis, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

The crew was stranded on the vessel until the morning of October 25, when water levels receded enough for another boat to rescue them. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2025

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)

1771, 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