1
as in to revert
to go back to a previous and usually lower state or level
in extreme circumstances, people sometimes regress to the behavior they exhibited in childhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the annual celebration has regressed to the point where it's nothing more than an excuse to get drunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in regression
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of regress
Anne Tapp Jaksa, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
And there’s a lot of people telling them to regress, to be expecting women to take their last names, and to stay at home and to make lots of babies and to not ask too many questions.
—Miles Bryan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 31 May 2025
Data from McKinsey’s 2024 Women in the Workplace study shows that Black women’s promotion rates regressed to 2020 levels despite notable improvements in 2021 and 2022.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Verb
From the days when enslaved people were legally forbidden from learning to read, to the fight for desegregation in Brown v. Board of Education, to the overturning of affirmative action, schools have both reflected and shaped racial progress and regress in America.
—Anne Tapp Jaksa, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
And there’s a lot of people telling them to regress, to be expecting women to take their last names, and to stay at home and to make lots of babies and to not ask too many questions.
—Miles Bryan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Noun
There’s something exquisitely derailing about spiraling into a plush-toy addiction while emotionally regressing at your mother’s house in Chiang Mai—jet-lagged across three time zones, spiritually bankrupt, and one herbal compress away from a full breakdown.
—Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 31 May 2025
Data from McKinsey’s 2024 Women in the Workplace study shows that Black women’s promotion rates regressed to 2020 levels despite notable improvements in 2021 and 2022.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress
Verb
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This summer, in particular, Swift seems to have reverted back to classic, feminine silhouettes and approachable styling after dabbling with a bit of logo-mania during the 2024-2025 football season.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
29 June 2025
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Orvis said South Carolina stood to add a lot of solar to its electrical grid with tax incentives but would have to revert back to gas once those credits go away.—
Soph Warnes,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels that threatened homes and businesses.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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This is where matters deteriorated, as PSG faced losing the player for nothing, having committed hundreds of millions to his transfer fee, salary and bonuses over the years.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Barring a regression — or a late-season surge from someone else — these two should be neck and neck.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
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Virgin is, as its name suggests, a purposeful regression, a return to youthful possibility.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2025
Verb
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However, a routine scan in March 2025 revealed that the tumor was returning.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
1 July 2025
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Vidal-Duart did not return a phone call from the Herald/Times on Monday.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
Verb
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This can lead to more frequent awakenings, shallower sleep and worsened airway instability, resulting in more apnea events.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
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Sweden reintroduced a gender-neutral draft in 2017 citing worsening security conditions, while Norway became the first NATO country to implement gender-equal conscription in 2013.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Disney officials declined to comment on individual plans out of respect for all guests.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
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Cal Fire officials declined to comment on whether either of the companies has had prior violations or enforcement actions, citing the active investigation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Hours earlier, another Pride celebration at Washing Square Park descended into chaos after a false report of gunfire and an individual deploying bear spray into a crowd sparked a stampede of people running for their lives.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
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Skiers may descend La Videmanette (part of the greater Gstaad ski area) in the winter, but the mountain turns into a climber’s haven in the warmer months.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 June 2025
Verb
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But Paxton's sizeable lead could crumble in light of his divorce proceedings.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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Unfortunately, countless family businesses crumble—not for financial reasons, but because of missteps in preparation.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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