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
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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
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Recent Examples of receding
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
North Shore Oahu residents who did not evacuate were heartened in the morning by receding waters and moments of blue skies, but more rain was on the way.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Despite fears that tariffs would spur inflation and complicate matters for the Fed, the CPI report shows generally receding costs in goods most impacted by tariffs, and rising prices for key services components such as medical care, airline fares and lodging.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
The mini downturn inevitably sparked concerns among the fanbase over whether Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League were receding.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The team last made the postseason in 2018, and the Ducks’ consistent stretch of hanging banners – the club’s only Stanley Cup title to date in 2007 and five straight division championships from 2012-13 to 2016-17 – was receding further in their rear-view mirror.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
With his open, often smiling face, white goatee, receding hairline, and glasses, Hall looks more like a politician than a sheriff.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The continent’s economic weight and geopolitical relevance are rising, not receding.
—Alexanderia Baker-Haidara, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
If, by contrast, their empire was receding, these efforts, no matter how skilled, could not stem that ebbing tide.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Or more accurately, receding, like a hairline.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
North Shore Oahu residents who did not evacuate were heartened in the morning by receding waters and moments of blue skies, but more rain was on the way.
—Dallas Morning News, 22 Mar. 2026
Despite fears that tariffs would spur inflation and complicate matters for the Fed, the CPI report shows generally receding costs in goods most impacted by tariffs, and rising prices for key services components such as medical care, airline fares and lodging.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
The mini downturn inevitably sparked concerns among the fanbase over whether Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League were receding.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The team last made the postseason in 2018, and the Ducks’ consistent stretch of hanging banners – the club’s only Stanley Cup title to date in 2007 and five straight division championships from 2012-13 to 2016-17 – was receding further in their rear-view mirror.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
With his open, often smiling face, white goatee, receding hairline, and glasses, Hall looks more like a politician than a sheriff.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The continent’s economic weight and geopolitical relevance are rising, not receding.
—Alexanderia Baker-Haidara, semafor.com, 27 Feb. 2026
If, by contrast, their empire was receding, these efforts, no matter how skilled, could not stem that ebbing tide.
—Alfred McCoy, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for receding
Noun
-
Mohammadi was killed in a public hanging Thursday, according to Iranian American human rights activists and dissidents.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The best way to oppose the hanging of these posters is to study the arguments the state made in favor of them.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Assuming six weeks of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the company predicts oil prices peaking at $115 per barrel in April and retreating by nearly a third to $80 by the end of the year.—
Alison Saldanha,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 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
-
The situation mirrors a recent case in Sweetwater, where hundreds of families were also displaced under similar terms, with financial incentives decreasing the longer residents wait to leave.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Higher rates can help tame inflation and allow savers to earn more interest on their accounts, while lower rates can help stimulate the economy by decreasing borrowing costs.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Daines later said withdrawing earlier could have enticed a prominent Democrat like Tester to enter the race.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Chock and Bates decided not to pursue a fourth straight ice dance world championship, joining Olympic teammate Alysa Liu in withdrawing from the worlds, a common decision for skaters who compete at the Winter Games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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
-
Estrogen decline is linked to higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Microsoft saw its stock fall 23% over the first quarter, more than the 7% decline of the tech-heavy NASDAQ, marking the worst quarter for its share price since 2008.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Receding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/receding. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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