regress 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgres How to pronounce regress (audio)
Definition of regressnext
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

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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

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regress

2 of 2

noun

as in regression

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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 regress
Verb
Recall that regressing the logarithm of bitcoin’s price against the logarithm of time generates a tight fit, and this is consistent with bitcoin's price following a power law. — Korok Ray, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 On top of that, the big three of Adams, Dickinson and Harris seems to have regressed since last season. — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
Arizona could improve over time or, perhaps, regress. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025 Random winners emerge, teams rise and fall, and drivers get better (or regress). — Jeff Gluck, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for regress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regress
  1. revert
  2. deteriorate
  3. regression
  4. return
  5. worsen
  6. decline
  7. descend
  8. crumble
Verb
  • The group of charities are calling on the government to revert this evidence threshold, as well as cutting time limits for people to submit reconsideration and afford them better access to information and legal advice.
    — Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Catch up fast: If the House doesn't act, D.C. will have to revert back to the previous fiscal year's funding levels — a reduction that officials have warned would affect police, schools, and other departments.
    — Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of revert
Verb
  • Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.
    — Joel Carboni, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.
    — Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of deteriorate
Noun
  • The signings address two of the Giants’ many desperate needs given corner Deonte Banks’ regression in his second NFL season and the absence of reliable talent and depth at both corner and on the interior D-line.
    — Pat Leonard, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025
  • For those with disease onset before the age of 12, the main symptoms include seizures, cognitive regression, motor impairment, cortical visual loss, feeding difficulties and liver dysfunction.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of regression
Verb
  • Both armies now use drones extensively, so returning bodies from the front lines is increasingly difficult – which is why Russia and Ukraine regularly exchange bodies.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
  • No injuries have been reported, but out of caution, customers are urged to return or dispose of them.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of return
Verb
  • But losses continued, worsened by the high inflation that had shoppers tightening their clothing budgets.
    — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Prepare for funding challenges Securing financing before a downturn worsens can be a game-changer.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • Representatives for Boeing declined to comment on the matter.
    — Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • An Interior Department spokesperson declined to comment on personnel matters.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • What begins as a refuge quickly descends into a nightmare as the siblings uncover dark cult practices and confront an ancient evil lurking beneath the surface.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2025
  • On March 1, police descended upon Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the championship was holding its second day competitions, as a stampede of cheerleaders, coaches and parents ran fleeing from what many believed to be an active shooter situation.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of descend
Verb
  • Marcos appeared on nationwide television around midnight shortly after Duterte was flown out and denied the allegations of the vice president, who has had a bitter falling out with him after their whirlwind political alliance as running mates in the 2022 elections crumbled.
    — Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Cloistered within the dense Mediterranean scrub lay crumbling remnants of bunkers and barracks.
    — Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of crumble

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Cite this Entry

“Regress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regress. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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