Recede Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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recede

[rɪˈsiːd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

intransitive verb

To move back or away from a previous position; to retreat

Synonyms

fall back, retire, retreat, withdraw.

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Word Description / Examples
recede

To move back or away from a previous position, often used in contexts involving water, hairlines, or something becoming less noticeable.

  • The floodwaters began to recede after the rain stopped.
  • His hairline started to recede at a young age.
retreat

To withdraw typically from an enemy or difficult situation, often used in military or confrontational contexts.

  • The army decided to retreat in the face of overwhelming opposition.
  • She felt the need to retreat to her room after the argument.
withdraw

To take back or remove oneself from a situation, place, or activity, often implying a deliberate or formal action.

  • She decided to withdraw her application from the job.
  • The bank has the right to withdraw the loan if payments are not made on time.
fall back

To move backwards or retreat, often in a military context or in situations where a person or group needs to regroup.

  • The troops were ordered to fall back after the enemy's advance.
  • If the primary plan fails, we can always fall back on our contingency plan.
retire

To withdraw or retreat, often used when someone stops working at the end of their career, but can also imply stepping back from a place or situation.

  • He decided to retire after 40 years in the company.
  • The soldiers were ordered to retire from the battlefield.

Examples of usage

  • The floodwaters began to recede, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
  • As the enemy forces advanced, the soldiers had no choice but to recede to a safer location.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'recede'

The word 'recede' comes from the Latin word 'recedere', which means 'to go back, to retreat'. It has been used in the English language since the early 15th century. Over the centuries, 'recede' has maintained its original meaning of moving back or away from a previous position.


See also: accede, antecedent, intercede.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,337, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.