recede

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​cede ri-ˈsēd How to pronounce recede (audio)
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 How to pronounce recede (audio)
receded; receding; recedes

transitive verb

: to cede back to a former possessor
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

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
That year-to-year increase coincided with a nationwide boost in travel as the pandemic's economic effects continued to recede. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024 And yet, super-high-res content seems to be receding ever further into a specialty consumer niche. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024 The waters receded quickly but peoples belongings and property are severely damaged or destroyed. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Water levels continued to recede in the fall and winter, but the lake didn’t totally evaporate as park officials had predicted. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 The constant skirmishes often receded into the background. Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Recent data showing inflation continuing to recede and resilient US economic growth suggest central bankers won’t be in a hurry to cut interest rates. Jeran Wittenstein, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2024 Last week, the company briefly eclipsed the market values of Amazon and Alphabet before receding to the fifth-most-valuable tech company. Don Clark, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Not surprisingly, then, human rights and political freedoms receded in relations with countries from Egypt to the United Arab Emirates. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 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 For example, when a glacier first recedes there is no soil, explains Ficetola. Lesley Evans Ogden, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2023 Although the broader banking industry panic has receded, the fallout will continue, Dimon said in his missive to JPMorgan shareholders. Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2023 The coastline is receding as much as 18 feet a year at the mouth of the Paraíba do Sul river in Atafona, home to 7,000 people, satellite images show. Samantha Pearson, WSJ, 1 Apr. 2023 Coroner's investigators are still trying to identify other remains found last year while the lake recedes because of drought, county spokeswoman Stacey Welling said. Ken Ritter, The Arizona Republic, 29 Mar. 2023 Coroner's investigators are still trying to identify other remains found last year while the lake recedes because of the drought, county spokeswoman Stacey Welling said. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023 The Bluetooth connectivity and customizable features on the Oral-B app make this toothbrush a strong choice for people with receding gums or who are prone to over-brushing. Samson McDougall, Health, 29 Mar. 2023

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of recede was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near recede

Cite this Entry

“Recede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recede. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on recede

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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