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Definition of retrograde
1a (1) : having or being motion in a direction contrary to that of the general motion of similar bodies and especially east to west among the stars Saturn is retrograde for another week (2) : having or being a direction of rotation or revolution that is clockwise as viewed from the north pole of the sky or a planet a retrograde orbitb (1) : moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction (2) : occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow — compare anterograde 1c : contrary to the normal order : inverse
2 : tending toward or resulting in a worse or previous state
3 archaic : contradictory, opposed
4 : characterized by retrogression
5 : affecting memories of a period prior to a precipitating event (such as brain injury or disease) retrograde amnesia
6 : retro retrograde fashion
retrogradely
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of retrograde in a Sentence
a retrograde policy that would leave more people poorer than they are now
retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike
Recent Examples of retrograde from the Web
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There were parts of it that were a little bit retrograde.
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But that attitude inevitably further alienates Trump and pushes him in a direction that is even more retrograde to the interests of US allies.
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But one of the loudest arguments in recent memory concerned the show’s animal performers, which came to appear more retrograde than entertaining thanks to an evolving dialogue on animal rights.
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Business will ignore the federal government’s retrograde leanings and promote clean energy because that’s where the money and the growth are.
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My last highlight job was the perfect storm of Mercury-retrograde misfortune.
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In the surgical procedure known as transurethral resection, 70% to 80% of men generally get a condition called retrograde ejaculation, also called dry orgasm, says Dr. McVary.
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The Trump administration thus far has felt like Mercury being permanently stuck in retrograde, and it might be explained by the president’s astrological makeup.
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What has sharpened is the charge of anger throughout, explicit in certain pieces and more generally conveyed by the work’s amped-up, retrograde-and-beyond camp style.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retrograde'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Retrograde describes backwardness of one kind or another. If a country decided to go back to amputating the limbs of criminals, we might call that policy retrograde. A retrograde view of women might be one that sees them basically as housekeepers. Mars and Jupiter show retrograde (backward) motion at some stages of their orbits, though this is only because of the way we see them from the earth, not because of any real backward movement.
Origin and Etymology of retrograde
Middle English, from Latin retrogradus, from retrogradi
First Known Use of retrograde
circa 1620
Examples of retrograde in a Sentence
the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civilization seriously retrograded
Origin and Etymology of retrograde
Latin retrogradi, from retro- + gradi to go — more at grade
RETROGRADE Defined for English Language Learners
retrograde
playDefinition of retrograde for English Language Learners
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: returning to an earlier and usually worse state or condition
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: moving backward
Medical Dictionary
retrograde
playMedical Definition of retrograde
1: characterized by retrogression
2: affecting memories of a period prior to a precipitating event (as brain injury or disease) In retrograde amnesia, the victim can remember only what has happened since he lost his memory; everything before that is irretrievable.—Jean Seligmann, Newsweek, 29 Sept. 1986—compare anterograde 1
3: occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: asa: occurring along nerve cell processes toward the cell body retrograde axonal transport retrograde degeneration of nerve fibersb: occurring opposite to the normal direction or path of blood circulation apply bandaging to the lower extremities to produce pressure to reduce retrograde blood flow in veins with incompetent valves—compare anterograde 2
retrogradely
adverb The ablation catheter was then inserted through the right femoral arterial sheath and advanced retrogradely into the left ventricle.—Warren M. Jackman, The New England Journal of Medicine, 6 June 1991Learn More about retrograde
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See words that rhyme with retrograde Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retrograde Spanish Central: Translation of retrograde Nglish: Translation of retrograde for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retrograde for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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