retrograde

1 of 3

adjective

ret·​ro·​grade ˈre-trə-ˌgrād 

1

a(1)

: having or being motion in a direction contrary to that of the general motion of similar bodies and especially east to west among the stars

Saturn is retrograde for another week

(2)

: having or being a direction of rotation or revolution that is clockwise as viewed from the north pole of the sky or a planet

a retrograde orbit

b

: moving, occurring, or performed in a backward direction

c

: occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: such as

(1)

: occurring along nerve cell processes toward the cell body

retrograde degeneration of nerve fibers

compare anterograde sense 1a

(2)

: occurring opposite to the normal direction or path of blood circulation

retrograde blood flow in veins with incompetent valves

compare anterograde sense 1b

d

: contrary to the normal order : inverse

2

: tending toward or resulting in a worse or previous state

3

archaic : contradictory, opposed

4

: characterized by retrogression

5

: affecting memories of a period prior to a precipitating event (such as brain injury or disease)

retrograde amnesia

compare anterograde sense 2

6

: retro

retrograde fashion

retrogradely adverb

retrograde

2 of 3

adverb

: backward, reversely

retrograde

3 of 3

verb

retrograded; retrograding; retrogrades

transitive verb

archaic : to turn back : reverse

intransitive verb

1

a

: to go back : retreat

b

: to go back over or recapitulate something

2

: to decline to a worse condition

Did you know?

Retrograde describes backwardness of one kind or another. If a country decided to go back to amputating the limbs of criminals, we might call that policy retrograde. A retrograde view of women might be one that sees them basically as housekeepers. Mars and Jupiter show retrograde (backward) motion at some stages of their orbits, though this is only because of the way we see them from the earth, not because of any real backward movement.

Synonyms

Adjective

• backward

Verb

• deteriorate
• descend
• decline
• worsen
• degenerate
• crumble

Examples of retrograde in a Sentence

Adjective

a retrograde policy that would leave more people poorer than they are now

retrograde pedaling will engage the brakes on that bike

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While retrograde, Saturn also encourages us to slow down, reflect and take responsibility for our emotional patterns as opposed to repeating them. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

After five months of retrograde review, the dynamics in your closest bonds are about to shift. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 12 Oct. 2025

Verb

Keep in mind, once Mercury stations retrograde, clarity around love, children and creative ventures could force you to slow down. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

Neptune, retrograding back to Pisces, wants to find out. —Usa Today, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin retrogradus, from retrogradi

Verb

Latin retrogradi, from retro- + gradi to go — more at grade entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adverb

circa 1620, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for retrograde

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed

Kids Definition

retrograde

adjective

ret·​ro·​grade

ˈre-trə-ˌgrād

1

: having a backward direction or motion

2

: tending toward or resulting in a worse or previous state

Medical Definition

retrograde

adjective

ret·​ro·​grade ˈre-trə-ˌgrād 

1

: characterized by retrogression

2

: affecting memories of a period prior to a precipitating event (as brain injury or disease)

In retrograde amnesia, the victim can remember only what has happened since he lost his memory; everything before that is irretrievable.

—Jean Seligmann, Newsweek

compare anterograde sense 1

3

: occurring or performed in a direction opposite to the normal or forward direction of conduction or flow: as

a

: occurring along nerve cell processes toward the cell body

retrograde axonal transport

retrograde degeneration of nerve fibers

b

: occurring opposite to the normal direction or path of blood circulation

apply bandaging to the lower extremities to produce pressure to reduce retrograde blood flow in veins with incompetent valves

compare anterograde sense 2

retrogradely adverb

The ablation catheter was then inserted through the right femoral arterial sheath and advanced retrogradely into the left ventricle.

—Warren M. Jackman, The New England Journal of Medicine