regress
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for regress, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move backward to an earlier, less developed stage.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To move backward to an earlier, less developed stage.
“Under stress, some adults regress and start acting childishly.”
Opposites
2. noun
A return or movement back to an earlier state.
“Doctors were alarmed by the regress in her recovery.”
Etymology
From Latin regressus, past participle of regredior, "to go back" (re- + gradior, "to step, go").
Full origin of regress →Frequently asked questions
What does “regress” mean?
The word “regress” means to move backward to an earlier, less developed stage. In plain terms, to go backward or fall back to how things were before, instead of moving forward.
How do you pronounce “regress”?
“Regress” is pronounced REE-grehs (/ˈɹiːˌɡɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “regress” in a sentence?
Here is “regress” used in a sentence: “Under stress, some adults regress and start acting childishly.”
What is another word for “regress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “regress” include retrogress.
What part of speech is “regress”?
Depending on how it is used, “regress” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “regress” come from?
The word “regress” comes from Latin. From Latin regressus, past participle of regredior, "to go back" (re- + gradior, "to step, go").
How many meanings does “regress” have?
“Regress” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move backward to an earlier, less developed stage.
