recidivate

verb

re·​cid·​i·​vate ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvāt 

recidivated; recidivating; recidivates

intransitive verb

: to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior and especially delinquency or criminal activity : to exhibit recidivism

There are three things that exponentially decrease the likelihood that an offender will recidivate. Offenders who obtain a diploma or GED certificate, obtain a job skill and maintain gainful employment are far more likely to break out of this dreaded cycle.

—Christopher Bowman

Examples of recidivate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One analysis found that of the more than 400 commutations issued in low-level drug cases by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019, just 5 percent of recipients recidivated over the next two years. —Khalil Cumberbatch, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin recidīvātus, past participle of recidīvāre "to relapse into sin or crime," verbal derivative of Latin recidīvus "recurring, relapsing," from recidere "to fall back, sink back, relapse" (from re- re- + cadere "to fall") + -īvus -ive — more at chance entry 1

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recidivate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Legal Definition

recidivate

intransitive verb

re·​cid·​i·​vate

ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvāt

recidivated; recidivating

: to return to criminal activity

Etymology

Medieval Latin recidivatus, past participle of recidivare to fall back, relapse, from Latin recidivus falling back, recurring