recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space.
the flood waters gradually receded
retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached.
retreating soldiers
retract implies drawing back from an extended position.
a cat retracting its claws
back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion.
backed off on the throttle
Examples of recede in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the sound of sirens receded as the fire engines roared off into the distance
after the rain stops, the floodwaters should gradually recede
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Verb
And aggressive nationalism receded after World War II, as Europeans learned to channel their patriotic zeal through soccer, not war.—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025 What To Know According to a survey from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), small business optimism receded in March to 97.4, below the 51-year average of 98 and well below the reading of 101.3 that analysts had anticipated.—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 As these characters and their complicated relationships come into view, the question of the corpse’s identity recedes into the background; the fatal arc rarely plays out as anticipated, and is not always relevant to each character’s story.—Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025 When will the water recede after record flooding in central US?
– Doyle Rice
High wind gusts, damage reported in northern Florida
Crews in Leon County, Florida, which includes the city of Tallahassee, responded to several reports of storm damage as severe weather ramped up Monday afternoon.—John Bacon, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recede
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go
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