To move off into the distance; to become distant or to fade away (e.g. sound, light, pain).
船は港を出ると次第に遠のいていった。
After leaving the harbor, the ship gradually moved off into the distance.
手術後、痛みがだんだん遠のいてきた。
After the operation, the pain gradually faded away.
夕暮れに街の灯りが遠のくのが見えた。
At dusk I could see the city's lights receding into the distance.
To drift away from someone or something; to distance oneself; to become less frequent (e.g. visits, customers).
大学を卒業してから、学生時代の友人たちが少しずつ遠のいた。
After graduating from university, my friends from student days gradually drifted away.
新しい店ができてから、常連客が遠のいてしまった。
Since the new shop opened, regular customers have dwindled.
彼は世間から距離を置き、次第に人付き合いが遠のいていった。
He put some distance between himself and society and gradually withdrew from social contact.