Recede — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ri-ˈsēd/ (verb) /(ˌ)rē-ˈsēd/ (verb) re·cede

Meaning & Definition of Recede

Recede (verb)

  1. to move back or away, withdraw
  2. to slant backward
  3. to grow less or smaller, diminish, decrease
  4. to cede back to a former possessor

Recede (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

    "the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane
    related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish, slacken, slow (down), alleviate, relax, flag, sink, weaken, cave (in), collapse, deflate
    opposite: accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax
    near: appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

  2. to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)

    "after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede"

    similar: back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, retire, retreat, withdraw, give ground, give way, lose ground
    related: flee, fly, flinch, recoil, shrink, chicken (out), bow out, back down, backpedal, backtrack, climb down, detach, disengage, disentangle, pull away, abandon, depart, evacuate, go, leave, quit, vacate
    opposite: advance
    near: beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave

Related Entry: Recede (from) (verb)

Recede (from) is a different word from Recede. The synonyms below are for recede (from), not for recede.

  1. as in go, withdraw

    similar: go, retreat, withdraw, depart, exit, leave
    opposite: advance, approach, come, near, nigh, drop in, enter, pop (in)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Recede

The most common words with a similar meaning to Recede:

abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane, back away, drop back, fall back, pull out, retire, retreat, withdraw, give ground, give way, lose ground

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Recede

Words with the opposite meaning of Recede:

accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax, advance

Related Words for Recede

compress, condense, constrict, contract, evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish, slacken, slow (down), alleviate, relax, flag, sink, weaken, cave (in), collapse, deflate, flee, fly, flinch, recoil, chicken (out), bow out, back down, backpedal

Near Antonyms of Recede

appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen, beard, brave, brazen, breast, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave

Word Forms of Recede

Inflections: receded, receding, recedes

Origin & Etymology of Recede

Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Recede

What does "Recede" mean?

"Recede" means to move back or away, withdraw. As a verb, it is defined as: to move back or away, withdraw. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Recede"?

Other words for "Recede" include abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away) and drop (off). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Recede" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Recede"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Recede". Common alternatives include abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle and ease.

What is the opposite of "Recede"?

Antonyms of "Recede" include accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand and grow. Near antonyms include appear, emerge, show up and blow up.

How do you use "Recede" in a sentence?

Examples of "Recede" in a sentence: "the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance"; "after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede".

Is "Recede" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Recede" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Recede"?

"Recede" is pronounced /ri-ˈsēd/ as a verb and /(ˌ)rē-ˈsēd/ as a verb and divided into syllables as re·cede.

What is the origin of the word "Recede"?

"Recede" comes from Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go. First known use: 15th century.