Retrograde
/ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/
Definitions
3 meaningsMoving backward or in a direction opposite to the usual or expected.
/ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/
Moving backward or in a direction opposite to the usual
The planet Mercury will appear retrograde for several weeks.
💡 Simply: Imagine a planet that, instead of moving forward in its orbit, seems to be going backward for a while. Retrograde means doing something opposite of the normal way, like a car backing up on a one-way street.
👶 For kids: Like when you walk backwards instead of forwards!
More Examples
His retrograde behavior surprised his friends and family.
The company's decision was a retrograde step, reversing previously established progress.
How It's Used
"The planet appeared to move in a retrograde motion."
"The company's retrograde policies hampered innovation."
To go or move backward; to recede or degenerate.
/ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/
To go or move backward; to degenerate
The disease began to retrograde after the medication.
💡 Simply: If a situation starts to get worse or go backwards, like your progress on a project being delayed or reversed, it's retrograding.
👶 For kids: When something goes from good to bad or starts going the wrong way!
More Examples
After the policy change, the company's profits began to retrograde.
His health started to retrograde once he stopped exercising.
How It's Used
"The disease began to retrograde after the treatment."
"His political influence began to retrograde after the scandal."
A backward movement or the act of moving backward.
/ˈrɛtroʊˌɡreɪd/
A retrograde motion or movement; the act of retrograding.
The retrograde of Mars occurs about every two years.
💡 Simply: A retrograde can mean the period when something is moving backward or going in the wrong direction. Like if you notice that the progress you were making has started moving in reverse, it might be called a retrograde.
👶 For kids: When something moves backwards or goes the wrong way.
More Examples
The company experienced a sudden retrograde in its market share after the scandal.
There has been a retrograde of human rights in that country in recent years.
How It's Used
"The retrograde of the planet was carefully observed."
"The retrograde was obvious in his behavior."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
retrograde motion
The apparent backward movement of a planet in its orbit.
"Scientists study retrograde motion to understand planetary movements."
retrograde amnesia
Loss of memory for events that occurred before a brain injury or trauma.
"He suffered from retrograde amnesia after the accident, unable to recall his past."
From Latin *retrogradus*, from *retro* 'backward' + *gradus* 'step'.
Used since the 16th century, initially referring to the apparent backward motion of planets.
Memory tip
Imagine a gear turning backwards, against the normal flow – RETROgrade.
Word Origin
"going backward"