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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Haldea cautioned that the secondary market could struggle to absorb a large wave of redemptions if investor sentiment deteriorates sharply.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
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The turtle slows, more organisms attach, and the animal’s condition deteriorates.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 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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The Amazon Big Spring Sale returns in just a few days, and to celebrate, Amazon has already released early deals on popular products in fashion, home, outdoor, and more.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Mar. 2026
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Ethan Farris returns for Bobcats Texas State infielder Ethan Farris played 17 games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury in March sidelined him for an entire year.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the summer air thickens with diffused sunlight and harsh humidity, a psychological fog descends on our young protagonist.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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And water aerobics for senior women descends into a bizarre request.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Home to one of the largest event and conference spaces in the area—which hosted several Sundance Film Festival events this year—the hotel will also prove popular among business travelers and group corporate retreats.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
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Caroly is immediately affected, glued to the TV; John, suddenly irritable, retreats.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This weather whiplash from intense rain to extreme heat can be hard for residents to wrap their heads around — but is exactly what scientists expect to see more of in Southern California as climate change worsens.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged for a peaceful resolution of the Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute, warning the use of force worsens tensions and threatens regional stability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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