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• outdated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• out-of-date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

This month, Venus and Mercury both go retrograde in your 10th house, which brings a familiar discomfort that goes hand in hand with being publicly perceived by the world. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

As the name suggests, the watch also has a retrograde date display combined with a moon phase. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, Mercury stations retrograde in Scorpio and Venus retreats into Libra, joining Saturn retrograde in Aries, Uranus in Gemini, and Neptune in Aries. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Meanwhile, Mercury in Scorpio can make work details feel confusing or anxious, as Saturn retrograde questions whether your friend groups and long-term hopes still resonate. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026