1
as in to revert
to go back to a previous and usually lower state or level
in extreme circumstances, people sometimes regress to the behavior they exhibited in childhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the annual celebration has regressed to the point where it's nothing more than an excuse to get drunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in regression
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of regress
Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Nikola Jovic, a Heat wing who came off the bench for Serbia in Paris, has regressed to a 27% outside shooting clip this season.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Losing that type of talent would cause most defenses to regress, but the Cougars have maintained a similar level of production.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Verb
My mother, unable to cope with the trauma, regressed.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Nikola Jovic, a Heat wing who came off the bench for Serbia in Paris, has regressed to a 27% outside shooting clip this season.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
The clue has been replaced by the data-trace; the villain by the algorithmic network; the crime by the infinite regress of surveillance itself.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
Losing that type of talent would cause most defenses to regress, but the Cougars have maintained a similar level of production.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress
Verb
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That also means that either reverting BIOS settings or performing an OS reset is possible.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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The Huskers took a brief pause from their doldrums to summon up a home win against Minnesota only to revert back to losing, dropping four more in a row.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last week, Narges was finally allowed a brief visit with her sister and two lawyers, who were alarmed at how rapidly her health had deteriorated.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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And a once modern grid which has deteriorated to developing world standards with widespread load-shedding and blackouts.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On Sunday, Glenn announced Smith would be the team’s starting quarterback despite a significant regression from his previous years with the Seahawks.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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However, Ivey saw a regression in his production this year, primarily playing off the bench for the Pistons before the trade.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What is taken, what is returned, and what forms of continuity are made possible?—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Depending on the state where the trust is held, it can be terminated altogether if the beneficiaries consent, returning the assets to the parents.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Over time this will worsen outcomes for chronic illness and preventative care.—
Dr. Howard A. Selinger,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
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The problem is expected to worsen over time without climate change mitigation.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Both declined interview requests.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Backstreet Boys member attempted to use the video to press battery charges against Gallagher, but prosecutors declined to do so after seeing the video supported Gallagher's version of events, per the outlet.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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World’s fastest mini-sub According to reports, the submersible is able to ascend and descend in the water column at angles up to 45 degrees.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, an American Airlines flight from Norfolk was descending.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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From government to education to the workplace, DEI is crumbling.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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After crumbling due to the pressure at the Olympics, Malinin soared at the Figure Skating World Championships, putting on a strong short program before a clean free skate to give him his third-straight men's world title.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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