Moving or tending backwards; reverting to an earlier or inferior condition; inverse or reversed (adjective)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “Moving or tending backwards; reverting to an earlier or inferior condition; inverse or reversed (adjective)”? The solution is RETROGRADE, a 10-letter word built on the root GRAD (“step, go, walk, degree”). It appeared in the September 7, 2026 (Monday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
In a sentence
Bill has a RETROGRADE sinus infection that has not yet responded to antibiotics.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “Moving or tending backwards; reverting to an earlier or inferior condition; inverse or reversed (adjective)” has the answer RETROGRADE (10 letters), built on the root GRAD, which means “step, go, walk, degree”. Browse the full September 7, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.