retrogressive
Going in reverse
Retrogressive means moving backward, returning to an earlier and usually worse state.
The word typically carries negative connotations—a retrogressive policy reverses progress, a retrogressive step undoes improvement.
Critics called the new law retrogressive, stripping away rights won over decades.
The related verb is retrogress; the noun is retrogression.
Process of declining quality
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- backslidingReverting to former sins
- worseningBecoming more severe
downturn · atrophy · degradation · devolution · ebbing · waning · relapse · retrenchment
Toward what's behind
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- archaicBelonging to earlier times
obsolete · reactionary · traditionalist · unprogressive · conservative · throwback · behind-the-times · Luddite
Anti-progress political stance
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
- anti-reformOpposed to change
obstructionist · counterrevolutionary · backward-looking · repressive · authoritarian · illiberal · rollback · retrenchment
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- backslidingReverting to former sins
worsening · downturn · atrophy · degradation · devolution · ebbing · waning · relapse · retrenchment · diminishment
backward
Toward what's behind
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- outmodedNo longer in fashion
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
archaic · obsolete · reactionary · traditionalist · unprogressive · conservative · throwback · behind-the-times · Luddite · antediluvian
reactionary
Anti-progress political stance
- conservativeCautious about altering customs
- right-wingPolitically conservative faction
- traditionalistAdherent to established customs
anti-reform · obstructionist · counterrevolutionary · backward-looking · repressive · authoritarian · illiberal · rollback · retrenchment · restrictive
retrogressiveprogressive
Favoring reform and innovation
advancing · forward-looking · onward · futuristic · prospective
retrogressiveprogressive
Favoring reform and innovation
improving · growing · expanding · developing · advancing