retrograde

Returning to a worse or less developed condition.

• Closing the library is a retrograde step.
• The new restrictions represent a retrograde development.
• Doctors warned against this retrograde change in patient care.

Similar words: regressive, backward

Opposites: progressive

Common phrases: a retrograde step, retrograde development, a retrograde change

Moving backwards or in the opposite direction to the usual movement.

• The diagram shows retrograde motion.
• This satellite follows a retrograde orbit.
• The valve prevents retrograde flow in the pipe.

Similar words: backward, reverse

Opposites: forward, prograde

Common phrases: retrograde motion, retrograde orbit, retrograde flow

Opposing changes intended to improve society and wanting to keep older beliefs or systems.

• He holds retrograde views about women.
• The campaign challenged retrograde attitudes towards marriage.
• Critics described the party's opposition to reform as retrograde.

Similar words: reactionary, conservative, backward-looking

Opposites: progressive, reformist

Common phrases: retrograde ideas, retrograde attitudes, retrograde social views

Arranged in the opposite order, starting with what would usually come last.

• Read the letters in retrograde order.
• The second line presents the notes in retrograde sequence.
• This retrograde arrangement puts the final element first.

Similar words: reverse, reversed, inverse

Common phrases: retrograde order, retrograde sequence, retrograde arrangement

A planet's apparent movement across the sky in the opposite direction to its usual movement.

• Mercury is in retrograde this month.
• The chart shows the beginning of Mars's retrograde.
• A retrograde occurs because Earth and the other planet move at different speeds.

How to use it: in retrograde (Mars appears to move backwards when it is in retrograde.)

Similar words: retrograde motion

Common phrases: mercury in retrograde, during the retrograde, a planetary retrograde

A movement backwards or in the opposite direction to what is usual or intended.

• The machine made a sudden retrograde.
• A slight retrograde moved the pointer away from its target.
• The diagram marks each advance and retrograde with an arrow.

Similar words: backward movement, reversal

Opposites: advance

Common phrases: a sudden retrograde, a slow retrograde

Someone who opposes social change and wants to keep older beliefs or systems.

• They called him a retrograde.
• The reformers dismissed their opponent as a political retrograde.
• Even the retrogrades eventually accepted the new voting rules.

Similar words: reactionary, conservative

Opposites: reformer, progressive

Common phrases: a political retrograde, an ageing retrograde

A version of a tune with its notes played in reverse order, from last to first.

• The pianist played the retrograde.
• Write a retrograde of this short melody.
• The composer combined the original theme with its retrograde.

How to use it: retrograde of something (The second theme is a retrograde of the first.)

Common phrases: a melodic retrograde, retrograde of something, theme and retrograde