"Recede" is a word that can be used in a variety of different contexts, but it generally refers to something moving or fading back or away. Some synonyms for "recede" include retreat, withdraw, recant, retract, retreat, step back, pull back, back away, ebb, wane, and diminish. These words all offer slightly different shades of meaning, but they all imply a sort of movement that takes something further away, either physically or metaphorically. Whether you're standing on a shore watching the tide recede, or you're watching a person's enthusiasm for a particular topic recede over time, these synonyms for "recede" are all useful tools to help you describe what you're witnessing.