RETROGRADES Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

retrogrades

verb

present tense third-person singular of retrograde

as in deteriorates

to become worse or of less value the Dark Ages, the period following the fall of the Roman Empire when Western civilization seriously retrograded

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of retrogrades Then comes 11/11, the astro-numerological portal, and with it, Jupiter retrogrades into Cancer, your sector of wellness, service, and daily rituals. — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrogrades

Verb

Teams remain busy while the quality of decisions quietly deteriorates.

— Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Though concrete is a durable surface, concrete driveway repair is needed when the surface deteriorates and develops cracks over the years.

— Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of deteriorates

Verb

Finally comes the terminal phase, when the warhead re-enters the atmosphere and descends toward its target.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
When World Cup season descends upon soccer-mad Brazil, green and yellow banners decorate restaurants, bars and apartment buildings, streets are painted with flags and soccer balls, and discussions of the beloved national team's games are ubiquitous.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of descends

Verb

Once the finish is damaged, stains cling more easily, leading people to scrub even harder, which worsens the problem.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026
From Montesquieu’s perspective, polarization worsens this appetite for disregarding constitutional norms.

— Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of worsens

Verb

Many international students pay full tuition, turning them an increasingly important source of revenue as domestic enrollment declines.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Alan Jackson declines comment With that, the judge left the bench, taking no comment or questions from the lawyers present.

— Kristina Rex, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of declines

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retrograded

retrogrades

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“Retrogrades.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrogrades. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retrogrades

verb

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