as in retrogressing
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1
as in subsiding
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retreating
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
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Recent Examples of receding
ABC News, 9 June 2026
Her portrait of residents pinched between floods and receding sea ice is a testament to their love of this vulnerable land that is their home.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Flood waters along Four Mile Creek are receding.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2026
International cave-diving teams are navigating jagged, zero-visibility passages while weighing whether to guide the exhausted, untrained villagers underwater or wait for receding floodwaters, echoing dilemmas from Thailand’s 2018 cave rescue.
—Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
However, the Serie A outfit’s hopes of signing Alisson are receding with the Merseyside club showing no willingness to sanction the departure of their long-serving No 1.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Darker and more saturated colors can create depth, potentially making a room feel larger by receding from view.
—Elizabeth Sweet, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Throughout Francophone Africa, in Mali, Chad, and beyond, the backlash against receding French post-colonial influence amid attempts to unilaterally maintain its dominant position is evident.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Ten thousand years ago, after the last Ice Age melted away, blades of Indiangrass, switchgrass, and big bluestem burst forth from the nutrient-dense topsoil left behind by receding glaciers.
—Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Verb
The Sagrada Familia is a global pulpit, but it's set in a country where Christianity is receding.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Her portrait of residents pinched between floods and receding sea ice is a testament to their love of this vulnerable land that is their home.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Flood waters along Four Mile Creek are receding.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2026
International cave-diving teams are navigating jagged, zero-visibility passages while weighing whether to guide the exhausted, untrained villagers underwater or wait for receding floodwaters, echoing dilemmas from Thailand’s 2018 cave rescue.
—Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
However, the Serie A outfit’s hopes of signing Alisson are receding with the Merseyside club showing no willingness to sanction the departure of their long-serving No 1.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Darker and more saturated colors can create depth, potentially making a room feel larger by receding from view.
—Elizabeth Sweet, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
Throughout Francophone Africa, in Mali, Chad, and beyond, the backlash against receding French post-colonial influence amid attempts to unilaterally maintain its dominant position is evident.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Ten thousand years ago, after the last Ice Age melted away, blades of Indiangrass, switchgrass, and big bluestem burst forth from the nutrient-dense topsoil left behind by receding glaciers.
—Matt Kirouac, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for receding
Adjective
-
Three other vehicles with human drivers then appeared to illegally pass the stopped bus.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians, CHP said.—
Aidin Vaziri,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In 1833, for example, a hanging in Pennsylvania failed to kill Charles Getter, who had been sentenced to death for murdering his wife.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Vertical hanging creates more room in small closets common in dorms or apartments.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
If your garden is anything like mine, your poppies have petered out and your sages are subsiding.—
Pedro Moura,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Breezy winds return on Tuesday after subsiding somewhat on Monday.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Many are retreating from their DEI commitments.—
Sankar Sen,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
-
However, over three days of fighting, a Union Army force sent Confederate soldiers retreating back to the South.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Even after weeks of drying winds, the crackly leaves worked themselves into every corner and declivity.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Steiger's presentation also highlighted how the district has taken measures to reduce spending, like cutting off purchasing cards and decreasing non-school spending.—
Austin Horn
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
With decreasing revenue from the gas tax and increasing costs, Behrens said that over the next decade, the state will face a $216 billion shortfall.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
There is no penalty for withdrawing funds after 65 for non-medical expenses, but the withdrawals will be taxable.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
-
Israel’s military will continue to carry out operations in Lebanon for the time being and will not be withdrawing from the country, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday, despite the announcement of a new ceasefire.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Tending to Barbara in her days of decline is her child, a trans man, who Barbara refers to as her daughter throughout.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The decline suggests a blow to small businesses that can’t afford the fee, but previously benefited from the visa program.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Receding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/receding. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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