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retrogradely

retrogradely

8.9
Moving backward to an earlier less developed state
  • adverb
  • /ˌrɛtrəˈɡreɪdli/
translation icon : regresivamente
  • Some critics argue that the law changes society retrogradely rather than moving it forward.

Examples

  • Technological advances can be lost if a country develops retrogradely due to conflict.

  • The process moved retrogradely through the stages of development.

  • The reforms were implemented retrogradely, reversing many modern policies.

  • In some cases, the data was analyzed retrogradely to understand the initial conditions.

  • The reforms were implemented retrogradely, reversing many modern policies.

  • Some critics argue that the law changes society retrogradely rather than moving it forward.

  • Technological advances can be lost if a country develops retrogradely due to conflict.

Synonyms

backward
vsretrogradely
40 1.4

Toward an earlier time

is movement into an earlier, less advanced or less mature state
regressively
vsretrogradely
8.1

In a way that makes something go back to an earlier, worse state

is movement toward an earlier or less advanced stage

Antonyms

35 4.1

It happens more and more over time

Surface Forms

retrogradely positive

Morphology

retrogradely = retrograde (transparent) = retro + grade + ly

Adverb formed by '-ly' from 'retrograde', yielding a predictable sense of movement to an earlier state.

Etymology

The word retrogradely comes from retro- 'back' and grad 'step', so it means taking steps backward. That image explains why it is used for moving or changing back to an earlier, less advanced state.