regress
UK: rɪˈɡres | US: rɪˈɡres
vi. to return to an earlier or less advanced state
n. the act of moving backward or deteriorating
The word "regress" originates from Latin regressus, combining re- (meaning "back") and gressus (past participle of gradi, "to step or move"). This reflects the literal idea of "stepping back," which evolved metaphorically to describe reverting to a previous state. The root gress appears in many English words (e.g., "progress," "digress"), consistently conveying motion or progression.
Without practice, skills can regress over time.
The patient’s health began to regress after stopping treatment.
Economic policies may cause the market to regress.
Childhood fears sometimes regress during adulthood.
The team’s performance regressed to last year’s level.