Synonyms of retrograde

retrograde 1 of 3

adjective

ˈre-trə-ˌgrād 

1

as in backward

directed, turned, or done toward the back

retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• backward
• reversed
• reverse
• hind
• rearward
• rear
• posterior
• aft
• after
• astern
• sternforemost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward

2

as in retro

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time

the loft's retrograde decor seeks to capture the look and feel of the swinging '60s

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retro
• vintage
• antique
• antiquated
• traditional
• historic
• historical
• old-fashioned
• old-school
• old-world
• old-time
• quaint
• past
• former
• ancient
• obsolete
• outmoded
• old-timey
• late
• outworn
• aged
• outdated
• antediluvian
• out-of-date
• dated
• atavistic
• olden
• oldfangled
• superannuated
• hoary
• stodgy
• forgotten
• anachronistic
• fusty
• old hat
• fossilized
• passé
• bygone
• age-old
• erstwhile
• moldy
• venerable
• timeless
• rinky-dink
• musty
• ageless
• anachronous
• remote
• dateless
• moth-eaten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• current
• contemporary
• modernistic
• new
• modernist
• present-day
• hot
• new age
• newfangled
• ultramodern
• red-hot
• up-to-date
• fresh
• state-of-the-art
• fashionable
• mod
• smart
• stylish
• chic
• modernized
• designer
• updated
• last
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• latest
• renewed
• nontraditional
• recent
• futuristic
• high-tech
• latter-day
• remodeled
• refurbished

retrograde

2 of 3

verb

as in to deteriorate

to become worse or of less value

the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civilization seriously retrograded

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorate
• descend
• decline
• worsen
• degenerate
• crumble
• atrophy
• diminish
• devolve
• regress
• decay
• rot
• ebb
• sink
• weaken
• go to pot
• disintegrate
• fall
• corrupt
• go to seed
• recede
• degrade
• wane
• slip
• sag
• reduce
• downsize
• sour
• decompose
• putrefy
• undermine
• abate
• dwindle
• spoil
• debilitate
• dilapidate
• run down
• lag
• waste (away)
• break down
• lessen
• lower
• de-escalate
• languish
• molder
• fail
• droop
• flag
• wilt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• upgrade
• enhance
• meliorate
• intensify
• strengthen
• proceed
• march
• develop
• enrich
• progress
• heighten
• advance
• fortify

retrograde

3 of 3

adverb

as in counterclockwise

Related Words

• counterclockwise
• reversely
• backward
• widdershins
• anticlockwise
• rearward
• left-handed
• left-handedly
• back
• astern
• sternforemost

Dissimilar Words

• forward
• forth
• ahead
• on
• along
• forwards
• onward

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retrograde

Adjective

Chiron turns retrograde in your 11th House of Friends, bringing up old sensitivity around belonging, loyalty, or being the one who keeps everyone emotionally fed. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

More scientifically referred to as retrograde duct flow, this is the mechanism by which breastfeeding babies shoot spit into the nipple of whomever is nursing them. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

Verb

However, the problem is the moon’s square to Pluto retrograde along with its clash to the sun and Jupiter, so flexibility isn’t going to come naturally — not even close. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Saturn stations retrograde in your 2nd House of Resources, asking you to review spending, earning, values, and the cost of saying yes too easily. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026