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
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Without them, their children would regress and potentially need more significant care later in their lives.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
But city officials say recent strong performance of the stock market makes the city’s pension outlook more likely to improve than regress.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Verb
In several cases described in court declarations, children — including some with developmental delays or chronic conditions — regressed while they were detained, losing language skills, wetting themselves or engaging in self-harm.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Without them, their children would regress and potentially need more significant care later in their lives.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Over the season’s first quarter, the Premier League has appeared to regress, stylistically, from a peak of some five years ago.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
But city officials say recent strong performance of the stock market makes the city’s pension outlook more likely to improve than regress.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress
Verb
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Contingency plans are in place should the security situation deteriorate, which may necessitate reverting individual sailings or the wider structural change of the service back to the Cape of Good Hope route, Maersk said.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2026
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In truth, Johnson’s lack of meaningful contribution to date may now prompt Palace to revert back to that way of operating in future.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Because of deteriorating conditions, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy, Marceau said.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Working conditions, meanwhile, have continued to deteriorate as the demands on workers increase.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Next, using a statistical tool known as a Cox regression model, the researchers equalized the participants based on factors such as age, smoking status, BMI, physical activity, alcohol intake, depression, family history of dementia, medication use and more.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
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Aulden’s periods of sleep regression also put Humphries in a difficult position.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ukrainian officials said 150 Ukrainian servicemen and seven civilians returned from Russian captivity.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Austin Reaves, who was playing in his second game after returning from a 19-game absence, scores 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Inflammation can cause or worsen chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
17 Feb. 2026
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If something feels new, different or worsens with movement, don’t ignore it.—
Jennifer Shanker,
Flow Space,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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The sheriff declined to answer several questions, including one from a reporter who asked if there was a ransom demanded.—
Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That unfurled into the most fundamental reason the wide world of sports will be descending on Kansas City this June and July, with 650,000-plus visitors anticipated even before the base camp announcements.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
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Local forecasts show that heavy thunderstorms could descend on Daytona International Speedway on Sunday evening — which would punctuate a week of exclusively sunny weather.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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George Washington's chin is crumbling.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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