retrograde
Declining toward earlier
Retrograde means moving backward or declining from a better state.
Planets in retrograde appear to move opposite their usual direction—an optical illusion that astrology invests with significance: Mercury is in retrograde.
More broadly, retrograde describes regression or deterioration: a retrograde step for civil rights.
The verb means to move backward or decline: The situation has retrograded since last year.
Toward what's behind
- reverseTurn to opposite
- recedeMove back from
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- backtrackReverse one's position
revert · withdraw · recoil · retrace · backpedal · inverse · contrary · reversed
Curved celestial path
- MercuryMessenger god or planet
- VenusLove goddess, or planet
- apparentClearly seen or understood
- motionChange in position
planets · transit · ephemeris · precession · synodic · sidereal · elongation · conjunction
Process of declining quality
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- worseningBecoming more severe
backsliding · relapse · degradation · downturn · descent · weakening · ebbing · waning
Old valued collectible
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- antiquatedOld and outdated
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
archaic · obsolete · anachronistic · passé · unfashionable · behind-the-times · quaint · outdated
Intense prolonged craving
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
- sentimentalityExcessive tender emotion
memory · yesteryear · bygone · past · retrospect · hiraeth · sepia-toned · bittersweet
Anti-progress political stance
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- backward-lookingOriented toward the past
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- counterrevolutionaryOne opposing radical overthrow
ultraconservative · obscurantist · Luddite · diehard · antireform · unprogressive · illiberal · authoritarian
backward
Toward what's behind
backtrack · revert · withdraw · recoil · retrace · backpedal · inverse · contrary · reversed · opposite
orbit
Curved celestial path
motion · planets · transit · ephemeris · precession · synodic · sidereal · elongation · conjunction · opposition
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- atrophyWasting from disuse
worsening · backsliding · relapse · degradation · downturn · descent · weakening · ebbing · waning · diminishment
antique
Old valued collectible
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- antiquatedOld and outdated
outmoded · archaic · obsolete · anachronistic · passé · unfashionable · behind-the-times · quaint · outdated · retro
yearning
Intense prolonged craving
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
sentimentality · memory · yesteryear · bygone · past · retrospect · hiraeth · sepia-toned · bittersweet · remembrance
reactionary
Anti-progress political stance
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- backward-lookingOriented toward the past
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
counterrevolutionary · ultraconservative · obscurantist · Luddite · diehard · antireform · unprogressive · illiberal · authoritarian · resistant
- VenusVenus, Aphrodite, Venus de Milo, morning star, evening star
- spacespace, sun, moon, stars, star
- astrologyastrology, zodiac, horoscope, horoscopes, birth chart
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, liftoff, orbit
- retreatback away, back off, withdrawal, retreating, back up
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
retrogradeprograde
Same direction as primary
forward · direct · advancing · onward · progressive
retrogradeprogressive
Favoring reform and innovation
progress · improve · advance · ameliorate · meliorate
retrogrademodern
Of recent times
contemporary · up-to-date · current · ultramodern · state-of-the-art
- retrograde amnesiaInability to recall past events
- Mercury retrogradeApparent backward planetary motion
- retrograde motionApparent reverse orbital path
- retrograde orbitPath opposing primary rotation
- retrograde analysisDeducing past from present position
- Venus retrogradeApparent backward planetary motion