RECEDES Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

recedes

verb

present tense third-person singular of recede

as in subsides

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in withdraws

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 recedes The dark hue recedes, letting your eyes focus on the scenery outside. — Gary Thompson, Midwest Living, 5 June 2026 But, even with the end so near, my thoughts turn ahead to preparations for another trip when the water recedes a bit. — Ralph Tuttle, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026 Finally, Earth recedes again from the camera. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 11 May 2026 The common assumption is that love recedes visibly, through arguments or a loud rupture. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 But when the processions disperse, the city returns to its usual arrangements and the permission recedes with the crowd. — Vogue, 1 June 2026 So far, Arens has been surprised by how quickly native vegetation resumes life as the water recedes, in some places as soon as two or three years. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026 Once your tsukemen appears — terrifically chewy noodles built to catch every drop of the accompanying half-broth, half-gravy, as heady as drippings scraped from a roasting pan — the world recedes. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026 By Gallup’s measure, acceptance of LGBTQ people – at an all-time high four years ago – has fallen every year since as public approval of LGBTQ+ legal protections recedes and transgender rights become a culture-war flashpoint. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recedes

Verb

After the laughter ringing through the room subsides, though, Abela does allow for a moment of reverence — for the HBO drama if not for the disreputable people who populate it.

— Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026
Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 22 May 2026

Definition of subsides

Verb

Hezbollah's leader said Saturday the group would fight on until Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon, according to a statement carried in a pro-Hezbollah local media outlet.

— Willem Marx, NPR, 28 June 2026
But sporadic clashes have continued, and Hezbollah’s leader said Saturday that the group would continue fighting until Israel withdraws from Lebanon.

— Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Definition of withdraws

Verb

When Aries pushes harder, Cancer retreats further, and neither feels understood.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
As natural gas output partially retreats, global seaborne coal shipments to the region have risen, even if China and India are insourcing more domestic coal.

— Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Definition of retreats

Verb

Gibson retires the first two batters before giving up a single to Paul Goldschmidt, followed by the homer barrage.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Even if Dunker retires as a beloved Steeler, the rivers at that point will likely still be unswimmable after rainstorms.

— Daniel Bain, The Conversation, 22 June 2026

Definition of retires

Verb

Perhaps that last claim feels overblown, but movies indisputably falsify reality, presenting a world that seems hypervivid for a few hours but vanishes when the lights come up.

— Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
The two fight, and Enola's mother, Eudoria comes to the rescue and saves her before Moriarty vanishes.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026