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Retrogress Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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retrogress

[ˌrɛtrəˈɡrɛs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

in a negative direction

To move backward; to revert to an earlier, less advanced state.

Synonyms

backslide, regress, revert.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
retrogress

Used to describe moving backward to an earlier, often worse, condition or state. Commonly used in formal or academic contexts.

  • The country began to retrogress into political instability
  • Progress in technology can stall and even retrogress if not properly maintained
regress

Used similarly to 'retrogress', but can apply more broadly, including emotional or developmental setbacks. Commonly used in psychological or developmental discussions.

  • Without continuous support, the patient might regress to a less stable state
  • Children may regress in their behavior when they experience significant stress
backslide

Often used in a moral or behavioral context, indicating someone returning to bad habits or negative behavior after making progress. Has a slightly negative connotation.

  • After months of sobriety, he started to backslide into old drinking habits
  • The student began to backslide in his studies after losing focus
revert

Indicates returning to a previous state, condition, or behavior. Typically used in everyday language and can have both neutral and negative connotations depending on the context.

  • The system will revert to its default settings after the update
  • He reverted to his old habits after the initial enthusiasm wore off

Examples of usage

  • The country seemed to retrogress in terms of human rights.
  • The company's decision to cut corners will only cause the project to retrogress further.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychology, retrogression can refer to reverting to earlier behaviors or stages of development during stressful times.
  • Children may show retrogressive behavior, such as thumb-sucking or bedwetting, after experiencing significant changes, like moving to a new house.

Sociology

  • In social contexts, retrogression can describe a society moving back to less progressive laws or norms, often impacting equality.
  • Cultural retrogression can be seen when modern advancements are abandoned in favor of traditional practices that may not support contemporary social structures.

Nature

  • In ecology, retrogression refers to the decline of an ecosystem, such as when a forest loses biodiversity due to pollution or human activity.
  • Species can also experience retrogression, leading to a loss of traits or adaptations necessary for survival in their environments.

Literature

  • Literary themes of retrogression often explore characters who regress in their development, such as losing wisdom or maturity during tough times.
  • Notable works, such as George Orwell's '1984', depict societies that retrogress in freedom and civil rights, creating dystopian narratives.

Origin of 'retrogress'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'retrogressus', where 'retro' means backward and 'gressus' means step.
  • It has been used in English since the early 19th century, reflecting a decline or return to an older state.

The word 'retrogress' originated from the Latin word 'retrogressus', which is the past participle of 'retrogradi', meaning 'to go back' or 'to move backwards'. The term has been used in English since the 18th century, often in the context of social or political regression.

See also: retro, retroactive.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,183, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.