retroceder

Senses

1. 1.

   to go back, to move backward

   to move in the reverse direction physically

2. 2.

   to retreat, to withdraw

   to pull back from a position or confrontation

3. 3.

   to back down, to give up

   to abandon a plan or decision due to fear or difficulty

4. 4.

   to regress, to decline

   to move backward in progress or development

Examples

• "O carro retrocedeu alguns metros para estacionar."

  The car backed up a few meters to park.

• "Diante das críticas, o governo retrocedeu na proposta."

  Faced with criticism, the government backed down on the proposal.

• "Não vou retroceder agora, já cheguei muito longe."

  I'm not going to give up now, I've already come too far.

Usage

Regular verb conjugated like ceder. Often used figuratively to describe backing down from decisions or plans. Common collocations include "retroceder na decisão" (back down from a decision) and "fazer retroceder" (to force back/repel). Not to be confused with "recuar," which is more commonly used for physical backward movement in everyday speech.