Synonyms of regress

regress 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgres 

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

• revert
• return
• decline
• retrogress
• relapse
• lapse
• backslide
• worsen
• degenerate
• fall
• ebb
• throw back
• retrograde
• drop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• develop
• evolve
• advance
• grow
• progress
• mature
• ripen

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

• deteriorate
• worsen
• decline
• descend
• crumble
• diminish
• devolve
• degenerate
• decay
• rot
• atrophy
• ebb
• retrograde
• sink
• weaken
• disintegrate
• recede
• sag
• dwindle
• decompose
• fall
• wane
• degrade
• go to seed
• reduce
• go to pot
• slip
• downsize
• putrefy
• undermine
• abate
• dilapidate
• corrupt
• lessen
• languish
• fail
• sour
• debilitate
• spoil
• de-escalate
• lag
• break down
• waste (away)
• lower
• wilt
• droop
• molder
• run down
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• upgrade
• enhance
• proceed
• develop
• intensify
• strengthen
• meliorate
• progress
• enrich
• heighten
• fortify
• march
• advance

regress

2 of 2

noun

as in regression

Related Words

• regression
• retrogression
• retreat
• recession
• ebb
• reflux
• return
• recess
• reversal
• retraction
• backwash
• reverse
• turnaround
• turnabout
• about-face

Dissimilar Words

• progress
• process
• advance
• progression
• advancement
• march
• passage
• flow
• way
• furtherance
• procession
• stream
• drift
• current
• headway
• going
• flux
• approach
• coming
• onrush
• arrival
• nearing
• advent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of regress

Verb

Rather than imagine the ways these characters might have evolved over nearly 30 years, the script by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, and Kelly Marcel regresses the women in order to retread many of the beats of the original film. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

The Seminoles find a way to generate some optimism after a solid win over a Cavaliers’ squad some expect to regress this season. — Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

Young children often complain of physical symptoms such as stomachaches, develop separation anxiety, and regress to earlier behaviors like bed-wetting. — Claudia Boyd-Barrett, CBS News, 18 June 2026

The gains came after the latest whipsaw moves for oil prices, which surged toward their highest levels since the war with Iran began only to quickly regress. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026