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Definition of receding

receding

/rɪˈsiː.dɪŋ/
re · ced · ing
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receding Lexical Profile

receding Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Gradually ceasing to grow at the front of the head (of a person's hair or hairline), or sloping backward from the vertical (of a chin or forehead).

Example

"He decided to shave his head completely rather than try to hide his receding hairline."

2

Moving back, withdrawing, or becoming more distant from a previous position.

Example

"The researchers documented the rapidly receding glaciers across the mountain range."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for receding

• Nearby Words

recategorize
recce
recede
receding
receipt
receivable
receive

Word Origin & Etymology

From the verb recede, borrowed from Latin recedere ('to go back, withdraw, or retreat'), formed from re- ('back') and cedere ('to go, yield').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Receding. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/receding
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