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

The record floodwaters were expected to continue to slowly recede Saturday, but authorities warn that waters will remain high for days, and that there is still danger from potential levee failures or mudslides. —CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

River flows have surged well above flood thresholds, with forecasts calling for crests near or above historic highs before waters slowly begin receding late tonight into Friday. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Each year, surgeons see the demand for certain treatments swell, and the interest in others recede. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 11 Dec. 2025

While the heavy rain will be over by Thursday afternoon, some rivers will take several days to fully recede. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 10 Dec. 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)

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