What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retrograde
Example
The company's retrograde policies led to a decrease in employee morale. [retrograde: adjective]
Example
The economy is experiencing a retrograde trend due to recent policy changes. [retrograde: noun]
regressive
Example
The country's regressive policies are hindering progress towards equality. [regressive: adjective]
Example
The new tax plan is considered regressive since it benefits the wealthy more than the middle class. [regressive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Regressive is more commonly used than retrograde in everyday language, especially in social or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retrograde and regressive?
Both retrograde and regressive are formal words, but retrograde may be more technical and scientific in nature, while regressive may be more commonly used in political discourse.
