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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in counterclockwise
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retrograde
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
Playing boxer Jake LaMotta, Robert De Niro gave all of his mind and body to this portrait of a man destroyed by his anger, his jealousies, his pride, his retrograde notions of manhood.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Among these were melodic concepts like inversion (flipping a tune), transposition (shifting it up or down scales), retrograding (reversal), and translation (movement over time).
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retrograde
Adjective
The Three-Phase Cycle, Explained The full Mercury retrograde cycle is often described as a three-part sequence consisting of the pre-shadow phase, the retrograde period, and the post-shadow phase.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026
Playing boxer Jake LaMotta, Robert De Niro gave all of his mind and body to this portrait of a man destroyed by his anger, his jealousies, his pride, his retrograde notions of manhood.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
The signs that will feel this Mercury retrograde the most are the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).
—Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
Among these were melodic concepts like inversion (flipping a tune), transposition (shifting it up or down scales), retrograding (reversal), and translation (movement over time).
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retrograde
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrograde
Adjective
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There's no reason to go with the worm, let alone a backward one.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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The creature-feature horror film plunges into the jungles of the Dominican Republic, where a group of road workers battling brutal conditions encounter the Ciguapa — a terrifying figure from local folklore with backward feet and the power to possess men through her gaze.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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These 12 recipes prove the retro dessert still deserves a place at today’s table.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
17 May 2026
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Part of the fun of a retro recipe is the lore.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Over the course of the next hour, the weather deteriorated rapidly.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
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The warning underscores the deteriorating situation in Gaza.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adverb
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Then, rotate them counterclockwise for six circles.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Because air swirls counterclockwise around low-pressure systems, Cook says, the alignment will sweep frigid air deep into the central U.S. next Sunday and, from there, into the southeastern states next Monday and Tuesday.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Cars Land today still has some of that ageless energy, boasting a vintage rock ’n’ roll soundtrack and a strip of a street filled with colorful neon, its lights, especially at night, beckoning guests to come closer.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Here, no two villas or suites rooms are identical, but instead are dotted with vintage treasures hunted at local brocantes.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The world of The White Lotus Season 4 also descended on Tetou, making the two-hour pilgrimage from their set in Saint-Tropez to Cannes on their only day off just in time for dinner.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
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Eventually, several crew members descended downward from the helicopter on ropes, retrieved the hiker and hoisted him back up.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Water Street, the town's main drag, has a smattering of restaurants interspersed with antique shops, but for a bite with a view, check out the popular Dog Watch Cafe overlooking the harbor.—
Amy Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
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Renovated in 2023, the traditional Goan style continues in guest rooms with parquet floors, cane weave chairs, antique-style wardrobes with mirrors and headboards, and furnished balconies or terraces.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Verb
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McGrail says Janet declined and put an end to the evening.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Schoenbrun’s third feature, Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma stars Einbinder as an enthusiastic young director who is tasked with resurrecting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise after years of subpar sequels and declining fandom.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrograde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrograde. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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