1. to go back or move backward
Usage: formal
2. to give back or return something, especially territory or rights
Usage: legal; formal

Examples

• The glacier began to retrocede as temperatures rose.
• The army was forced to retrocede from their advanced positions.
• Under the treaty, the nation agreed to retrocede the disputed territory.
• The company decided to retrocede the mining rights to the government.
• As the tide changed, the water started to retrocede from the shore.
• The king was compelled to retrocede certain privileges to the nobles.