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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Briefly taking human shape, the devil helps Thomasin sign a book that will complete the transaction, then reverts back to his four-legged form.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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The deduction and the phase-out levels will increase by 1% a year until 2029, when the cap reverts back to the original $10,000.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Backyard cast also features Katie MacNichol as Gladys’ daughter Ellen, Alexander Ameen as Ellen’s husband Howard, and William Huffaker as a young painter from Boston named Don Bowman whom Gladys seeks to help even as her mental state deteriorates.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
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As the situation deteriorates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany among others have urged their nationals to leave Bamako.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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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At Lee’s suggestion, Donald ultimately decides to fulfill his late brother's wishes and give Washberg family land to Arthur’s grandson Chutto (Mato Wayuhi), who returns it to the Osage Nation.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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Led by head coach Kevin Young in only his second season, BYU returns star guard Richie Saunders, fresh off a First‑Team All‑Big 12 campaign, and welcomes incoming freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, one of the top recruits in the country.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Carol is casually chatting with her manager and romantic partner, Helen (Miriam Shor), when the pathogen descends on everyone, creating a horrific scene of silent, seizing bodies.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
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Regardless, this film also boasts a oner for the ages, as a raincoat mafia descends upon a rave and a pair of bloodthirsty lovers.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Most co-curricular activities, like arts and leadership programs, would be shared, but spiritual programming and retreats would remain separate.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
12 Nov. 2025
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One of Middle Tennessee's most storied creative retreats — and the birthplace of Taylor Swift's debut album — is officially up for sale.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sixteen million people risk losing all food assistance even as global hunger worsens.—
ARIF HUSAIN,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Nov. 2025
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Others may find that dairy worsens their symptoms, possibly due to its high fat content.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Game predictions Fowler, thanks to his preternatural understanding of this franchise’s flows and ebbs, somehow stayed perfect after the Panthers’ shutout win last week.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
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After a layoff, employee trust ebbs, burnout can increase and quiet quitting can become an attractive option for many workers.—
Mark C. Perna,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regresses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regresses. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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