Meaning & use
recede
To move gradually back or away from a previous position, or to become weaker or smaller.
See it in a sentence
The floodwaters slowly receded, leaving mud across the fields where they had been.
As the medication took effect, his fever began to recede.
A note on using this word
Recede is often used about tides, hairlines, floods, or memories, all things that gradually pull back rather than disappear suddenly.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “recede”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.