Synonyms of retrograde

retrograde 1 of 3

adjective

ˈre-trə-ˌgrād 

1

as in backward

directed, turned, or done toward the back

retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• backward
• reversed
• reverse
• hind
• rearward
• rear
• posterior
• aft
• after
• astern
• sternforemost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• forward

2

as in retro

pleasantly reminiscent of an earlier time

the loft's retrograde decor seeks to capture the look and feel of the swinging '60s

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retro
• vintage
• antique
• antiquated
• traditional
• historic
• historical
• old-fashioned
• old-school
• old-world
• old-time
• quaint
• past
• former
• ancient
• obsolete
• outmoded
• old-timey
• late
• outworn
• aged
• outdated
• antediluvian
• out-of-date
• dated
• atavistic
• olden
• oldfangled
• superannuated
• hoary
• stodgy
• forgotten
• anachronistic
• fusty
• old hat
• fossilized
• passé
• bygone
• age-old
• erstwhile
• moldy
• venerable
• timeless
• rinky-dink
• musty
• ageless
• anachronous
• remote
• dateless
• moth-eaten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• modern
• current
• contemporary
• modernistic
• new
• modernist
• present-day
• hot
• new age
• newfangled
• ultramodern
• red-hot
• up-to-date
• fresh
• state-of-the-art
• fashionable
• mod
• smart
• stylish
• chic
• modernized
• designer
• updated
• last
• new-fashioned
• space-age
• latest
• renewed
• nontraditional
• recent
• futuristic
• high-tech
• latter-day
• remodeled
• refurbished

retrograde

2 of 3

verb

as in to deteriorate

to become worse or of less value

the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civilization seriously retrograded

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deteriorate
• descend
• decline
• worsen
• degenerate
• crumble
• atrophy
• diminish
• devolve
• regress
• decay
• rot
• ebb
• sink
• weaken
• go to pot
• disintegrate
• fall
• corrupt
• go to seed
• recede
• degrade
• wane
• slip
• sag
• reduce
• downsize
• sour
• decompose
• putrefy
• undermine
• abate
• dwindle
• spoil
• debilitate
• dilapidate
• run down
• lag
• waste (away)
• break down
• lessen
• lower
• de-escalate
• languish
• molder
• fail
• droop
• flag
• wilt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• ameliorate
• better
• upgrade
• enhance
• meliorate
• intensify
• strengthen
• proceed
• march
• develop
• enrich
• progress
• heighten
• advance
• fortify

retrograde

3 of 3

adverb

as in counterclockwise

Related Words

• counterclockwise
• reversely
• backward
• widdershins
• anticlockwise
• rearward
• left-handed
• left-handedly
• back
• astern
• sternforemost

Dissimilar Words

• forward
• forth
• ahead
• on
• along
• forwards
• onward

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retrograde

Adjective

Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow (the weeks leading up to the celestial backspin when the planet slows down), which began on June 13 in water Cancer, starts the story for the planet’s moonwalk that commences on June 29. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 10 June 2026

While he was diagnosed with retrograde amnesia, which causes someone to lose memories before an event such as a brain injury, trauma or illness, Shannon’s husband, Eric Evangelista, began to question his diagnosis. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026

Verb

Saturn will station retrograde in Aries on July 26, which is a call to reassess everything from our independence and leadership to our personal responsibilities. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Mercury stations retrograde in Cancer, slowing communication around home, family, care, memory, and emotional safety. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026