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• outdated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• out-of-date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

While retrograde, however, Saturn puts a magnifying glass on everything from past goals to the fears and disappointments that could have influenced your decisions. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Whether the same will hold true in people is for now unclear, though an analysis of human cells grown in the lab and patient brain tissue suggests blocking the retrograde flow of electrons could make neurons healthier. — Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

Uranus stations retrograde in Gemini, which throws you for a last-minute loop in your academic studies for the semester or scrambles your international travel plans. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

However, the problem is the moon’s square to Pluto retrograde along with its clash to the sun and Jupiter, so flexibility isn’t going to come naturally — not even close. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026