1
as in reverts
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 deteriorates
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of regresses
David Wilson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
Whether the Commanders can catch the Eagles already likely depends on whether Daniels builds on his rookie season or hits a sophomore slump and regresses after Washington was the best fourth-down team in history last season.
—David Wilson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regresses
Verb
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Besides, the new speed cameras produce most of their violations outside the pick-up and drop-off windows, when the speed limit reverts back to normal and any yellow lights should go dark.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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The final rule reverts the industry to standards first established in 2012 by the Obama administration that have reduced mercury emissions by nearly 90%.—
Michael Phillis,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And if the economy deteriorates and the labor market materially weakens at the same time?—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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As her vision deteriorates, Penny turns to psychoanalysis not in hopes of reversing her condition, but to confront years of denial and silence.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Volpe earned just $879,000 this season, so that increase would mark a raise of more than 400% despite his regressions on offense and defense.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 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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Four-star running back SaRod Baker, ranked the ninth-best player in the nation at his position in the Class of 2027, will be back after running for running for 3,096 yards and 45 touchdowns, and DeSoto also returns four-star Texas Tech pledge K’Adrian Redmond on the defensive line.—
Greg Riddle,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Jake Brande returns For months, Jake Brande, a pitcher at Rancho Christian, has been dealing with the loss of his teenage brother, Johnny, who died of cancer last December.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The European social set descends on this Cape Town party spot every summer for its white sand and chilly blue water, as well as the trendy clubs and hotels that lie in the shadow of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.—
Melanie van Zyl,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Mar. 2026
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The scouting combine is the unofficial kickoff to the NFL offseason, as the entire football universe descends on Indianapolis’ abundant hotel lobbies and steakhouses to have discussions about free agency and the draft.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Andrew has moved to a property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, while Sarah’s whereabouts are unknown—although she has been rumored to be everywhere from the French Alps to the United Arab Emirates to wellness retreats in both Switzerland and Ireland.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
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Before the Bride elbows her way into his life, Frank, ever so lonely, retreats into the world of movies.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While drought impacts water utilities in the Western states more directly, saltwater from coastal flooding worsens groundwater quality, and extreme cold can wear on pipes.—
Charlotte Slovin,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
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The presenters discussed how periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that worsens with age, affects the bone and tissues supporting the teeth.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some readers may be old enough to remember the 1976 Bicentennial, which occurred during one of the city’s lowest ebbs and lifted everyone’s spirits.—
John Calvelli,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
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Skeptics will wonder about the timing of the new release, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced as public attention in politics ebbs and the holiday season hits its peak.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regresses. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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