English vocabulary · B2
Recede
/rɪˈsiːd/ · v.
It means to move back and slowly become smaller or farther away.
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Example sentences
- The flood water finally began to recede.
- His hairline started to recede early.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- re — back (from Latin)
- cede — go (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- RETREAT — move back from danger (General & Common)
- WITHDRAW — pull back on purpose (Formal & Deliberate)
- SHRINK — become smaller (Size-Focused)
Words with the same root
cede — go
- proceed — to keep going forward
- succeed — to reach a goal or do well
- exceed — to go past a limit
Lesson notes
Recede. It means to move back and slowly become smaller or farther away.
Similar words are retreat, withdraw, and shrink. Use recede when something slowly pulls back and leaves more space.
The flood water finally began to recede. His hairline started to recede early.
From Latin. Re- means back. Cede- means go. Going back and leaving space behind — that is recede.