Word
regress
/ˈɹiɡɹɛs/
Definition
v. to go back to an earlier state that is usually worse or less developed. You use it when someone loses progress they had made.
v. to return to an earlier, typically less advanced or less desirable condition or pattern of behaviour. Often implies reversal of prior development, improvement, or recovery.
Examples
“He starts to regress when he feels stressed at school.”
“After months of progress in therapy, she began to regress and avoid the routines that had helped her.”
“Critics argued that without continued investment in public education, literacy rates would regress to levels not seen in decades.”
Examples
simple
“He starts to regress when he feels stressed at school.”
contextual
“After months of progress in therapy, she began to regress and avoid the routines that had helped her.”
complex
“Critics argued that without continued investment in public education, literacy rates would regress to levels not seen in decades.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “regress” in context.
Verb
01. appear to regress
“In times of stress, children may appear to regress emotionally.”
verb + to + verb
02. begin to regress
“After months of progress, she began to regress following the injury.”
verb + to + verb
03. patient regress
“The patient regressed sharply after the medication was withdrawn.”
noun + verb
04. regress into authoritarianism
“Without checks on power, the state may regress into authoritarianism.”
verb + prep + noun
05. regress into childhood
“Under hypnosis, he seemed to regress into childhood memories.”
verb + prep + noun
06. regress to barbarism
“Critics fear the conflict will cause the region to regress to barbarism.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
07. gradually regress
“Without practice, his language skills gradually regressed over the summer.”
adv + verb
08. rapidly regress
“Without continued therapy, patients can rapidly regress to earlier symptoms.”
adv + verb
09. begin to regress after trauma
“Many patients begin to regress after trauma if support is withdrawn.”
10. regress into childhood behaviour
“When anxious, she tends to regress into childhood behaviour.”
11. regress significantly under pressure
“The team regressed significantly under pressure during the second half.”
12. regress to an earlier stage
“After the injury, his mobility regressed to an earlier stage of recovery.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and takes no direct object; often followed by 'to' or 'into' to mark the earlier state.
Etymology
(verb) From Latin regressus, past participle of regredior (“to go back”), from re- (“back”) + gradior (“to go”). Doublet of regressus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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