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
Relevance
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
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 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
-
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
-
The decision effectively reverts regulations to those set in 2012 by the Obama administration.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Europe is tightening the net on Russian oil being shipped through its waters, squeezing Moscow’s ability to fund its war even as officials and business executives in Russia fear the window is narrowing to reach a peace deal before the economy deteriorates.—
Catherine Belton,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Tom Hanks returns as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, Tony Hale as Forky, and Annie Potts as Bo Peep.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The Daily Show, which is hosted by Jon Stewart on Mondays, also returns.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bear left for the Horseshoe Bend segment that descends quickly to the Agua Fria River.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
As a small rural settlement is swiftly and ruthlessly stripped bare by the twin plagues of a diphtheria epidemic and spreading wildfires, the film eventually descends into a near-literal hellscape, though even when pandemonium takes over on screen, Van Dusen’s formal control never wavers.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The center often hosts lectures, meditations, and retreats as well.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
-
As his career expanded across continents, so did his real estate holdings—from historic London residences to discreet Tribeca apartments and sleek California retreats.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Asthma worsens with polluted air.—
Yoca Arditi-Rocha,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
