regress

noun

re·gress | \ ˈrē-ˌgres

Definition of regress

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an act or the privilege of going or coming back

b : reentry sense 1

2 : movement backward to a previous and especially worse or more primitive state or condition

3 : the act of reasoning backward

regress

verb

re·gress | \ ri-ˈgres

regressed; regressing; regresses

Definition of regress (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to make or undergo regress : retrograde

b : to be subject to or exhibit regression

2 : to tend to approach or revert to a mean

transitive verb

: to induce a state of psychological regression in

Other Words from regress Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about regress

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Synonyms & Antonyms for regress

Synonyms: Verb

retrogress, return, revert

Antonyms: Verb

advance, develop, evolve, progress

Did You Know?

As you might guess, regress is the opposite of progress. So if a disease regresses, that's generally a good thing, but in most other ways we prefer not to regress. If someone's mental state has been improving, we hope that person won't start to regress; and when a nation's promising educational system begins to regress, that's a bad sign for the country's future. Economists often distinguish between a progressive tax and a regressive tax; in a progressive tax, the percentage that goes to taxes gets larger as the amount of money being taxed gets larger, while in a regressive tax the percentage gets smaller.

Examples of regress in a Sentence

Verb

The patient is regressing to a childlike state. in extreme circumstances, people sometimes regress to the behavior they exhibited in childhood

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Even if the Giants’ offense regresses, fans should be encouraged by the performances of veterans who have a better chance of maintaining their success. — Kerry Crowley, The Mercury News, "What will it take for the Giants to keep this hot streak going?," 17 July 2019 Despite Carlson's seemingly amicable regress, and her costars' continued support, Estes admits the adjustment wasn't easy. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "'Blue Bloods' Star Will Estes Opens Up About Amy Carlson's 'Shocking' Exit," 6 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for regress

regress

verb

English Language Learners Definition of regress

technical : to return to an earlier and usually worse or less developed condition or state

See the full definition for regress in the English Language Learners Dictionary

regress

intransitive verb

re·gress | \ ri-ˈgres

regress

Definition of regress

Other Words from regress

Synonyms & Antonyms for regress

Did You Know?

Examples of regress in a Sentence

First Known Use of regress

History and Etymology for regress

English Language Learners Definition of regress

Medical Definition of regress

regress

Definition of regress

Other Words from regress

Synonyms & Antonyms for regress

Did You Know?

Examples of regress in a Sentence

First Known Use of regress

History and Etymology for regress

English Language Learners Definition of regress

Medical Definition of regress

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