RECEDE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'recede' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of recede are back , retract , and retreat . While all these words mean "to move backward," recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space. // the flood waters gradually receded

Q: In what contexts can 'back' take the place of 'recede'?

The meanings of back and recede largely overlap; however, back is used with up, down, out , or off to refer to any retrograde motion. // backed off on the throttle

Q: When could 'retract' be used to replace 'recede'?

In some situations, the words retract and recede are roughly equivalent. However, retract implies drawing back from an extended position. // a cat retracting its claws

Q: When would 'retreat' be a good substitute for 'recede'?

While the synonyms retreat and recede are close in meaning, retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached. // retreating soldiers

recede

verb

ri-ˈsēd

Definition of recede next

as in to subside

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to withdraw

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb recede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of recede are back, retract, and retreat. While all these words mean "to move backward," recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.

the flood waters gradually receded

In what contexts can back take the place of recede?

The meanings of back and recede largely overlap; however, back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.

backed off on the throttle

When could retract be used to replace recede?

In some situations, the words retract and recede are roughly equivalent. However, retract implies drawing back from an extended position.

a cat retracting its claws

When would retreat be a good substitute for recede?

While the synonyms retreat and recede are close in meaning, retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.

retreating soldiers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of recede Side-body creases on the bottom of the doors and another just below the windows that gradually recede add to the vehicle’s character. —

PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025 Concerns began to recede Tuesday when the White House began announcing more and more exceptions, then continued to fade Wednesday with the announcement that the freeze had been rescinded. —

U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 New ways of life in rural Colorado On the Western Slope, ranching and farming — along with the once-prominent mining and coal industries — have receded. —

Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 31 Jan. 2025 Sports Afterward, the Bills quietly receded from playoff contention and spent years in the football wilderness with 10 different head coaches and 20 starting quarterbacks. —

Becky Sullivan, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for recede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recede

Verb

By most measures, political violence subsided after January 2021, in part because hundreds of participants in the January 6 attack were convicted and imprisoned.

— STEVEN LEVITSKY, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
Ultimately, the north winds subsided and hundreds of firefighters and volunteers got the fire under control.

— Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025