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 Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Let victims testify: the parents who watched their kids regress academically, the business owners bankrupted by whims, the families torn apart by isolation.
—Houman Hemmati, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
So perhaps the off-ramp is some disaster that regresses on social, technological, or political progress, knocking backward humanity’s millennia-long history of struggle and growth.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Verb
Gardner seemed to regress a little last season and said his play wasn’t up to standards.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Let victims testify: the parents who watched their kids regress academically, the business owners bankrupted by whims, the families torn apart by isolation.
—Houman Hemmati, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
Noun
There’s no true aspect of his game that stands out, and without a true calling card that could come back to haunt him if his shooting regresses.
—Tom Rende, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
So perhaps the off-ramp is some disaster that regresses on social, technological, or political progress, knocking backward humanity’s millennia-long history of struggle and growth.
—Literary Hub, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress
Verb
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During the team’s media day on Monday, Yang spoke some English but in mid-sentence would revert back to Chinese, producing a mix of English and Chinese that leaves the affable 7-footer chuckling at himself.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Lawyers for the national council argued that reverting it back under New Jersey’s operation would have devastating consequences.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials chose Dillow for closure because the building’s condition was rapidly deteriorating due to a water leak.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
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Farley, a former New York City health commissioner who teaches at Tulane University, acknowledged that many factors contribute to falls, including the physical impairments and deteriorating eyesight associated with advancing age; alcohol abuse; and tripping hazards in people’s homes.—
Paula Span,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pulock’s regression is the bigger red flag.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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Most leading teams keep an audit trail so regressions don’t slip through the cracks and improvements are visible to all stakeholders.—
Sebastian Crossa,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While additional details for the upcoming season of the long-running soap opera remain under wraps, Young and the Restless executive producer and head writer Josh Griffith told TV Insider earlier this month that core characters will be returning with some twists and turns.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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Boley said that Heffernan returned from a tour of NFL franchises with fresh schematic and teaching approaches that the players have embraced.—
David Teel,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Last year, Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, reportedly filed a petition to modify the family’s parenting plan, citing his worsening mental health issues.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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He’s been sedated for the most part since the crash, to prevent any additional physical exertion or agitation that could worsen his injuries.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Rizzo declined to comment on any potential campaign, pointing to ongoing efforts to strike down the map.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
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Energy demands around the world are rising, and with the increasing impacts of climate change and the declining efficiency of existing infrastructure, the situation is likely to worsen.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the goals, tactics and personalities pressing hands to television necks didn’t descend fully formed on January 20, 2025.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
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Hardcore fans from all over the planet will be descending on Spain for the opening shows, and many will likely follow them as the tour continues throughout Italy, England, Denmark, and Germany.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps most puzzling was coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense crumbling in the second half and overtime after three weeks of being arguably the league’s best defense.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The defense then crumbled in the red zone for a hat trick of first-half scores.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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