Recede, like the tide (3)
I believe the answer is:
ebb
'recede like the tide' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ebb that I've seen before include "(Of tidewater) recede" , "state of decline" , "(Water) recede" , "Go out or recede like tide" , "Fall back" .)