retrograde

ret·ro·grade | \ ˈre-trə-ˌgrād

Definition of retrograde

(Entry 1 of 3)

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 orbit

b : moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction

c : occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: such as

(1) : occurring along nerve cell processes toward the cell body retrograde degeneration of nerve fibers — compare anterograde sense 1a

(2) : occurring opposite to the normal direction or path of blood circulation retrograde blood flow in veins with incompetent valves — compare anterograde sense 1b

d : 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 — compare anterograde sense 2

6 : retro retrograde fashion

retrograde

adverb

Definition of retrograde (Entry 2 of 3)

: backward, reversely

retrograde

verb

retrograded; retrograding; retrogrades

Definition of retrograde (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

archaic : to turn back : reverse

intransitive verb

1a : to go back : retreat

b : to go back over or recapitulate something

2 : to decline to a worse condition

Other Words from retrograde Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about retrograde

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Examples of retrograde in a Sentence

Adjective a retrograde policy that would leave more people poorer than they are now retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike Verb the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civilization seriously retrograded

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In some ways, then, the system seems rather retrograde. — The Economist, "Mayor Pete’s edge How to win in Iowa," 12 Dec. 2019 Shamed but not Ashamed Dear Shamed: Your mother seems to have a retrograde response to dating and relationships. — Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, "Friendship breakup continues to wound," 30 Nov. 2019 The retrograde moons also have orbits similar to moons found in the Norse group; these are probably also fragments of a larger moon. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Researchers Discovered 20 Tiny New Moons Circling Saturn," 9 Oct. 2019 The change helped propel Barbie from a retrograde doll lambasted by feminists for her impossible shape to a modern toy. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, "'A Doll For Everyone': Meet Mattel's Gender-Neutral Doll," 25 Sep. 2019 Bennu's surface experiences extreme temperature variations over its 4.3-hour retrograde rotation period, sometimes by as much as 100 Kelvin, according to the study. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "NASA mission catches nearby asteroid ejecting material into space," 5 Dec. 2019 Mercury may be in retrograde, but an even rarer celestial occurrence will happen this month when the first planet in the Solar System passes across the Sun, an event known as Mercury Transit. — Fox News, "Mercury transit 2019: What to know," 5 Nov. 2019 Seventeen of Saturn’s new moons orbit the planet in the opposite, or retrograde, direction. — Marcia Dunn, The Know, "Scientists just discovered 20 new moons around Saturn and they want your help naming them," 8 Oct. 2019 Seventeen of Saturn’s new moons orbit the planet in the opposite, or retrograde, direction. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Discovery of 20 new moons puts Saturn ahead of Jupiter," 7 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Mercury moves retrograde this week, creating tiny hitches in your plans. — Venus Australis, refinery29.com, "Your Horoscope This Week," 14 July 2019 The blue planet of dreams is currently retrograde, pushing Rams to think more objectively about their spiritual journey. — Venus Australis, refinery29.com, "Your Horoscope This Week," 9 June 2019 Yes, Mercury retrograde ended last month; however, while the planet of communication was taking time off, some stuff slipped below the radar. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What Your Sign's April Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 31 Mar. 2019 The planet of hard work and loyalty, Saturn, starts its retrograde shortly after, on Monday, April 29 (and lasts until September 18). — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What April's Aries Horoscope Means for You," 31 Mar. 2019 Uranus will glide across the Taurus sky from May 15, 2018 through July 7, 2025, with a short break when Uranus retrogrades back to Aries from November 7 of this year until March 6, 2019. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Uranus’s Astrological Transit Into Taurus Means for Your Finances," 10 May 2018 Retrogrades cause the areas ruled by the planet in question to flip upside down and go all wonky, which is why Mercury retrogrades cause delays in communication, as Mercury rules communication. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "Oh God, April’s Full Moon in Scorpio and Jupiter Retrograde Will Occur Simultaneously on Sunday Night," 27 Apr. 2018 Bluntly speaking, Mars retrograde means a lack of energy, low libido, disinterest in hitting the gym, and a general lethargy. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "How Mars Retrograde Will Affect Your Love Life and Career This Summer," 2 July 2018 When Mercury is retrograde, thought and communication are less direct, more ponderous, and meandering. — Alice Bell, Vogue, "18 Items to Brighten Your Mood During Mercury Retrograde," 6 Apr. 2018

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.

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Last Updated

28 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Retrograde.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrograde. Accessed 23 January 2020.

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More Definitions for retrograde

retrograde

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of retrograde

formal : returning to an earlier and usually worse state or condition

technical : moving backward

See the full definition for retrograde in the English Language Learners Dictionary

retrograde

adjective

ret·ro·grade | \ ˈre-trə-ˌgrād

Medical 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 sense 1

3 : occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: as

a : occurring along nerve cell processes toward the cell body retrograde axonal transport retrograde degeneration of nerve fibers

b : 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 sense 2