Backslide: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in contexts where someone falls back into bad habits, often used in religious or moral contexts.

• He has been trying to quit smoking, but he keeps backsliding when he gets stressed.
• After months of sobriety, she unfortunately backslid into her old drinking habits.

Primarily used in medical or psychological contexts to describe a return to a former state of illness or poor condition after a period of improvement.

• He's worried about having a relapse after his illness.
• After a few weeks of recovery, she suddenly relapsed into depression.

Used in a general sense when someone or something returns to a less developed state. Commonly used in scientific, psychological, or developmental contexts.

• The patient's condition seemed to regress after the treatment was stopped.
• Under poor leadership, the company began to regress.

Formal term used to indicate a move backward to a worse or less advanced state. Can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

• The city's infrastructure began to retrogress after years of neglect.
• His skills appeared to retrogress due to a lack of practice.

Identical to the previous entry, indicating a return to bad habits or losing progress.

• Her commitment to healthy eating led her to backslide when she encountered stress.
• His studies suffered a backslide due to his growing social life.

Used when something gradually decreases in quality, quantity, or importance.

• The company's profits have been in decline for the past three years.
• His health has started to decline due to his old age.

Used primarily in technical, scientific, or psychological contexts to indicate a return to a previous, often less developed, state.

• The patient exhibited regression in their therapy, showing signs of earlier behaviors.
• Economic indicators showed a regression to levels seen a decade ago.

Used when describing a specific event or obstacle that temporarily delays progress.

• The team faced a major setback when their equipment failed.
• The illness was a setback in her recovery, but she continued to fight.