retrograde

adjective

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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Synonyms & Antonyms for retrograde

Synonyms: Adjective

backward, rearward

Synonyms: Verb

atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, devolve, ebb, regress, rot, sink, worsen

Antonyms: Verb

ameliorate, improve, meliorate

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

According to astrologer Annie Heese's ephemeris (aka her table of future planetary activity), summer 2018 will see seven planetary retrogrades in total, although the most planets that will be retrograde at one time is six. — refinery29.com, "Brace Yourself: Summer 2018 Is Also The Summer Of Retrogrades," 26 June 2018 On Friday, November 16, just as Venus concludes its retrograde cycle, Mercury begins its own. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What November's Capricorn Horoscope Means for You," 28 Oct. 2018 Various health conditions can cause retrograde ejaculation, including diabetes, spinal injuries, medications, and surgery of the bladder, prostate, or urethra. — Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, "Can Men Cause Fertility Issues?," 1 Oct. 2018 Taurus Expect lots of monumental realizations over the next several weeks, but try to avoid unnecessary confrontation after Thursday, July 26 when Mercury begins its retrograde cycle. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What Your Sign's July 2018 Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 29 June 2018 Is Mercury in retrograde not as close as many of us come to religious belief anymore? — Devin Friedman, GQ, "The Hippies Were Right After All," 14 June 2018 With the retrograde Mars, intimacy exploration will have greater lure than loud parties. — Rebecca Gordon, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Find Summer Romance According to the Stars," 21 June 2018 Don’t forget that Mars is still retrograde until August 27, so take action in bite-sized chunks. — Jodie Layne, Teen Vogue, "Lunar Eclipse 2018: What You Need to Know," 3 July 2018 Mars retrograde officially began on June 26 and will end on August 27, so brace yourself for just over two months of this type of energy in your life. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "How Mars Retrograde Will Affect Your Love Life and Career This Summer," 2 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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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Statistics for retrograde

Last Updated

30 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for retrograde

The first known use of retrograde was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for retrograde

retrograde

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of retrograde

: returning to an earlier and usually worse state or condition

: 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

Other Words from retrograde

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 1991

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