1. moving backward or in reverse
2. returning to an earlier or worse condition
3. appearing to move backward relative to the stars
Usage: astronomy

1. to move backward or decline to a worse state

1. backward movement or decline

Examples

• The new policy represents a retrograde step in civil rights.
• Mercury appears to move in retrograde motion across the sky.
• The patient’s condition began to retrograde after the surgery.
• The company’s retrograde approach to technology hurt its competitiveness.
• The army was forced into a retrograde movement.
• His thinking seemed to retrograde to medieval times.
• The retrograde of democratic institutions alarmed observers.