recede

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb recede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of recede are back, retract, and retreat. While all these words mean "to move backward," recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.

the flood waters gradually receded

In what contexts can back take the place of recede?

The meanings of back and recede largely overlap; however, back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

When could retract be used to replace recede?

In some situations, the words retract and recede are roughly equivalent. However, retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

When would retreat be a good substitute for recede?

While the synonyms retreat and recede are close in meaning, retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of recede His pristine basketball sneakers were oddly bright in a room that has since receded into shadow in my memory. Danielle Ofri, New Yorker, 7 June 2025 Bale, 51, was seen in a receding hairline wig with bleached eyebrows. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 June 2025 In the weeks and months that follow, Mars will continue to be a fixture in the evening sky, but will continue to recede from Earth and consequently will get fainter, diminishing to the rank of second magnitude. Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 June 2025 As Adams receded, with Trump in office, the agenda changed. David Weigel, semafor.com, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for recede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recede
Verb
  • The excitement over Tesla’s robotaxi launch is subsiding as fewer social media videos are posted.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Investors have cheered as stocks have swiftly recovered to fresh highs and volatility has subsided.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The result will be an increase in preying on immigrants by the criminal element: robbery, protection scams, sweatshop labor and human trafficking, as the immigrant community withdraws from reliance on no-longer-safe court systems.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025
  • The traffic receded as Chicago withdrew into the distance behind me on Interstate 90.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Flagg won’t be the only rookie cashing in: Every first-round selection in this year’s draft is projected to earn a seven-figure salary, although each slot has a diminishing value.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • But all this trouble didn’t diminish his affection.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Many analysts believe Iran will retreat, reassemble its nuclear scientists and rebuild its program.
    Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 24 June 2025
  • Groups of demonstrators retreated to nearby streets, only to cut back and regroup near the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Park.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Following Monday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 220 shares of GS, decreasing its weighting to about 4.35% from about 4.75%.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • Revenue has remained relatively stagnant, decreasing slightly from $153 million to $152 million over the past year.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Rucker played his entire nine-season NFL career with the Panthers before retiring in 2008.
    Sydney Sasser, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • For Gen Z, that might mean skipping the $28 lunch today—and retiring with $800,000 tomorrow.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • After the second session, the tumor in my lung vanished.
    Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
  • Jennifer Kesse, 24, vanished from her Orlando condo complex after leaving for work on the morning of Jan. 24, 2006, stumping both state and federal investigators as authorities raced to catch her abductor.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Cumulative profits at major industrial firms fell 1.1% in the first five months of 2025, compared to a year earlier, the data showed.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • The cost of some goods, such as toys and sporting goods, have risen, but those increases have been partly offset by falling prices for new cars, airline fares and apartment rentals, among other items.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recede. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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