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
Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Braun regressed to 30% from 3-point range this season while battling an ankle injury.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 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
Ceci and Dumoulin had little positive impact on the Kings, who slipped in terms of defensive effectiveness, regressed tremendously in the transition game and plummeted all the way to 30th of 32 teams on the penalty kill.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026
Braun regressed to 30% from 3-point range this season while battling an ankle injury.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 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The clue has been replaced by the data-trace; the villain by the algorithmic network; the crime by the infinite regress of surveillance itself.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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In 2017, Neverland Ranch was reverted back to its original name of Sycamore Valley Ranch, per Billboard.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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Finally, for unknown reasons, hydrangeas of any color may suddenly bloom in green for a year or two before reverting back to their original color.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the consequences of a destabilized Mali, compounded by the wider fallout from the Iran war, are unlikely to stop at its borders and threatens to deepen a deteriorating security crisis across one of the world’s most volatile regions.—
Ulf Laessing,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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The mammal’s health deteriorated as it became repeatedly stranded in shallow waters, and unsuccessful efforts to coax it toward deeper seas were livestreamed across the globe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Also, the Spurs are due for shooting regression from deep, whereas the Blazers have gotten unlucky from 3-point range.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The team had shown signs of regression, not least in heavy defeats to Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Houston has won two in a row in the series and gets to return home.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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The Artemis program aims to return American astronauts to the moon's surface for the first time since 1972.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The scale and location of the development have drawn concern from some residents, who say the project could worsen traffic congestion and may not be affordable for middle-class families.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the global memory crisis has worsened, forcing tech giants to pay up for the capacity needed to satisfy their data center ambitions.—
Jordan Novet,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bovino, who led much of the immigration enforcement operation in Chicago and the suburbs, as well as in Minnesota before retiring this year amid criticism, declined to appear before the commission.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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The Salt Lake County district attorney’s office and the Draper City prosecutor both declined to file charges against Paul in April, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Senior Television,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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But despite that meeting, on Monday, more than 1,000 MAHA advocates will descend on the Supreme Court to protest the administration’s support for Bayer in a case on the handling of the herbicide glyphosate, the main chemical in RoundUp.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
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The all-women Japanese promotion also performed in the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort during the week as pro wrestling fans descended on the city ahead of WrestleMania 42.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That order is crumbling, and many of our former strengths built on our close ties to the United States have become our weaknesses.—
Keely Bastow,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2026
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The top of his head drilled Bona’s chest, and the Celtics guard crumbled to the court, holding his neck.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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