Digress vs. Regress: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 29, 2023
"Digress" means to stray from the main topic, while "regress" means to return to a less developed state; both indicate a departure.
Key Differences
"Digress" refers to leaving the main subject temporarily in speech or writing; it's often used when someone veers off the central topic. Conversely, "regress" implies going back to an earlier or less advanced state, often used in the context of behavior, skills, or conditions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
When someone digresses, they often indulge in side conversations or topics that might be related but are not the primary focus. On the other hand, to regress is to demonstrate behavior or conditions that are reminiscent of a less mature or less developed stage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
A speaker might digress to inject humor or an anecdotal story into a presentation, which can be engaging or distracting, depending on the audience. In contrast, an individual might regress in skills, such as a trained musician who stops practicing and loses proficiency.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Writers often digress from the main narrative to provide background information, character development, or details about the setting. In a different vein, societies can regress, for example, in terms of economic development or human rights, often due to detrimental policies or global events.
Harlon Moss
Oct 28, 2023
In meetings or debates, a participant might be cautioned not to digress to maintain a clear, focused discussion. Whereas, in psychological terms, an individual undergoing extreme stress might regress, exhibiting behaviors common in a younger, more secure time.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Deviating from the main topic
Returning to a previous, less developed state
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Usage Context
Speech, writing, conversation
Psychological, developmental, societal contexts
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Outcome
Additional, often unrelated information
Decline in condition, behavior, or skill
Sara Rehman
Oct 28, 2023
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Digress and Regress Definitions
Digress
To wander away from the focal point.
Without a guide, discussions can easily digress.
Harlon Moss
Oct 19, 2023
Regress
To revert to a former behavior.
Under stress, individuals can regress to old habits.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Digress
To diverge from the central theme.
Authors sometimes digress to provide critical insights.
Janet White
Oct 19, 2023
Regress
To move backward, opposite of progress.
Artistic movements sometimes regress before finding new expressions.
Sara Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
Digress
To deviate from the subject.
Please don't digress; your point was compelling.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
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Regress
To return to a previous state.
Without practice, one's skills may regress.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 19, 2023
Digress
To stray off the main topic.
I won't digress further because time is limited.
Janet White
Oct 19, 2023
Regress
To decline to a less perfect state.
Technological regression can follow a societal collapse.
Janet White
Oct 19, 2023
Digress
To stray temporarily from the topic at hand, as in delivering a speech or engaging in a discussion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
To go back to an earlier or less advanced condition.
The economy might regress if interventions are not prompt.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Digress
(intransitive) To step or turn aside; to deviate; to swerve; especially, to turn aside from the main subject of attention, or course of argument, in writing or speaking.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
To return to a previous, usually worse or less developed state
When I left the country, my ability to speak the language regressed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Digress
(intransitive) To turn aside from the right path; to transgress; to offend.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Digress
To step or turn aside; to deviate; to swerve; especially, to turn aside from the main subject of attention, or course of argument, in writing or speaking.
Moreover she beginneth to digress in latitude.
In the pursuit of an argument there is hardly room to digress into a particular definition as often as a man varies the signification of any term.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
To move backward or away from a reference point; recede
The seas regressed as the glaciers grew larger.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Digress
To turn aside from the right path; to transgress; to offend.
Thy abundant goodness shall excuseThis deadly blot on thy digressing son.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
To induce a state of regression in
Techniques to regress a patient under hypnosis.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
The act of regressing, especially the returning to a previous, usually worse or less developed state.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Digress
Lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking;
She always digresses when telling a story
Her mind wanders
Don't digress when you give a lecture
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
The act of reasoning backward from an effect to a cause or of continually applying a process of reasoning to its own results.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Digress
To veer into unrelated territory.
Conversations often digress into personal anecdotes.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 19, 2023
Regress
In property law, the right of a person (such as a lessee) to return to a property.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
To reduce in severity or size (as of a tumor), without reaching total remission.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
To perform a regression on an explanatory variable.
When we regress Y on X, we use the values of variable X to predict those of Y.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
(transitive) To interrogate a person in a state of trance about forgotten elements of their past.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
The act of passing back; passage back; return; retrogression. "The progress or regress of man".
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
The reasoning involved when you assume the conclusion is true and reason backward to the evidence
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Regress
Go back to bad behavior;
Those who recidivate are often minor criminals
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
FAQs
Is regress always negative?
Typically, yes, as it indicates a decline or reversal in progress.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Does digressing disrupt communication?
It can if the departure is lengthy or irrelevant.
Harlon Moss
Oct 28, 2023
Is it normal to digress during conversations?
Yes, it's a common aspect of informal dialogue.
Harlon Moss
Oct 28, 2023
Can digress be used in formal writing?
Yes, when offering additional, pertinent information.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
What causes someone to regress?
Factors like stress, trauma, or change in environment.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 28, 2023
Can digress be positive?
Yes, if the diversion enriches the story or conversation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Can societies regress?
Yes, often due to economic, political, or social upheavals.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Should public speakers avoid digressing?
Not always; relevant anecdotes or data can enhance presentations.
Janet White
Oct 28, 2023
How can a writer effectively digress?
By ensuring the diversion adds value or context to the main narrative.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Is emotional regression common?
Yes, especially during periods of significant stress or change.
Sara Rehman
Oct 28, 2023
In what fields is regress commonly used?
Psychology, medicine, sociology, and economics.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Are there limits to how far one should digress?
Yes, it's important to return to the main topic promptly.
Harlon Moss
Oct 28, 2023
Can technology regress?
Yes, often due to lost knowledge or reduced resources.
Janet White
Oct 28, 2023
Can therapy cause temporary regression?
Yes, revisiting past traumas might trigger it.
Janet White
Oct 28, 2023
Does regression indicate failure?
Not necessarily; it may be part of a process of adjustment or healing.
Harlon Moss
Oct 28, 2023
Can novels digress from the main plot?
Yes, often to develop characters or establish setting.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 28, 2023
Is digress synonymous with diverge?
In the context of deviating from a topic, they're similar.
Janet White
Oct 28, 2023
Can regress be a conscious choice?
Rarely; it's often an involuntary response to circumstances.
Janet White
Oct 28, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
