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• outdated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• out-of-date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

In Rouy’s experience, figurative painting was once seen as embarrassingly retrograde. — David Lê, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2026

Despite having the world's greatest nuclear reactor capacity, since the 1970s the United States has operated in a comparatively retrograde state in terms of the industry. — David Szondy august 22, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

Venus and Mercury both station retrograde in your 4th house in October, which means this call may very well be coming from inside your own house (or family). — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

Your celestial ruler, Venus, will also station retrograde through your second house of money and self-worth, bringing old financial conversations or confidence issues back around. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026