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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of regress
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
Instead of regressing to outdated ideals, organizations should focus on building leadership teams that reflect the diverse strengths needed for long-term success.
—Patricia Nagy, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Simon Williams, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
But there’s plenty of room to regress and still be helpful.
—Jake Ciely, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Verb
The Nets, who had the best defense in the NBA for most of February, have regressed considerably at that end of the court in recent games.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
Instead of regressing to outdated ideals, organizations should focus on building leadership teams that reflect the diverse strengths needed for long-term success.
—Patricia Nagy, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
Also, recent funding cuts or freezes to agencies like USAID are already having ramifications on the ground, with public-health professionals concerned that progress in tackling diseases like tuberculosis will stall or regress.
—Simon Williams, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025
But there’s plenty of room to regress and still be helpful.
—Jake Ciely, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress
Verb
-
Adams started Bad Records a number of years ago as a home for his catalog, much of which has reverted back to him from Universal (which bought PolyGram, which had purchased his original label home, A&M).—
Melinda Newman,
Billboard,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Upon a Time in Hollywood would revert from the studio to Tarantino 30 years after its theatrical release.—
Chris Lee,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
That volume is masking deteriorating demand from key sectors - particularly domestic manufacturing, which drives more than 60% of big rig ton miles, and ocean imports.—
Lisa Baertlein,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Armed violence fuels nutrition crisis for Haitian families Famine is looming in Haiti as violence between armed groups continues, alongside extreme poverty and a deteriorating economy.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The worst Heat season in more than a decade ended in humiliating fashion on Monday, delivering a sad and sobering message to a proud franchise that played in the NBA Finals two years ago and has witnessed a rapid regression since.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The only true area of regression so far has been in one statistical category; where a glaring drop in production has signaled a key early-season problem for the team.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
There was no bigger stage for Lynch to return than at WrestleMania 41 in Allegiant Stadium.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The actress attempted to treat her condition, but her voice did not return.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The administration’s threat of tariffs on pharmaceuticals risks political backlash, worsening drug shortages and future battles over who pays.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Some evidence suggests that creatine may worsen mania symptoms in people with bipolar disorder.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
County officials declined to comment on the civil lawsuit.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The hospital declined to say whether Ikner was one of their patients.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Her friend Alice is descending a dimly lit stairway.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
In an era when political discourse so often descends into outrage and division — on cable news, in Congress, even in school board races — the quiet decency shown in Skokie feels all the more remarkable.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The pitching staff began to crumble beneath a lack of reliable depth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Both gentlemen were trying to win their first Green Jacket. DeChambeau crumbled while McIlroy had a rollercoaster kind of day, prevailing to win The Masters and complete the career grand slam.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share