The difference between Backward and Retrograde

When used as nouns, backward means the state behind or past, whereas retrograde means a degenerate person.

When used as adjectives, backward means in the direction towards the back, whereas retrograde means directed backwards, retreating.

Backward is also adverb with the meaning: in the direction towards the back.

Retrograde is also verb with the meaning: to move backwards.

check bellow for the other definitions of Backward and Retrograde

  1. Backward as an adjective (of motion):

    In the direction towards the back.

    Examples:

    "They left without a backward glance."

  2. Backward as an adjective (of motion):

    In the direction reverse of normal.

    Examples:

    "The occasional backward movement of planets is evidence they revolve around the sun."

  3. Backward as an adjective:

    Reluctant or unable to advance.

  4. Backward as an adjective:

    Of a culture: undeveloped or unsophisticated.

  5. Backward as an adjective:

    Of a thought or value: outdated.

  6. Backward as an adjective (cricket):

    On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.

  7. Backward as an adjective (cricket):

    Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.

  8. Backward as an adjective (obsolete):

    Unwilling; averse; reluctant.

  9. Backward as an adjective:

    Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.

    Examples:

    "a backward child"

  10. Backward as an adjective:

    Late or behindhand.

    Examples:

    "a backward season"

  11. Backward as an adjective (obsolete):

    Already past or gone; bygone.

  1. Backward as an adverb (of motion):

    In the direction towards the back; backwards

    Examples:

    "to walk or ride backward; to throw the arms backward"

  2. Backward as an adverb:

    Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.

  3. Backward as an adverb:

    By way of reflection; reflexively.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Sir J. Davies"

  4. Backward as an adverb:

    From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.

  1. Backward as a noun:

    The state behind or past.

  1. Retrograde as an adjective:

    Directed backwards, retreating; reverting, especially to an inferior state, declining; inverse, reverse; movement opposite to normal or intended motion, often circular motion.

    Examples:

    "retrograde ideas, morals, etc."

  2. Retrograde as an adjective:

    Counterproductive to a desired outcome.

  3. Retrograde as an adjective (astronomy, of a body orbiting another):

    In the opposite direction to the orbited body's spin.

  4. Retrograde as an adjective (geology):

    Describing a metamorphic change resulting from a decreasing pressure or temperature.

  1. Retrograde as a noun:

    A degenerate person.

  2. Retrograde as a noun (music):

    The reversal of a melody so that what is played first in the original melody is played last and what is played last in the original melody is played first.

  1. Retrograde as a verb (intransitive):

    To move backwards; to recede; to retire; to decline; to revert.

  2. Retrograde as a verb (intransitive, astronomy):

    To show retrogradation.

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