recrudescence

noun

re·cru·des·cence ˌrē-krü-ˈde-sᵊn(t)s

Synonyms of recrudescence next

: a new outbreak after a period of abatement or inactivity : renewal

a recrudescence of the symptoms

a recrudescence of guerrilla warfare

Did you know?

Recrudescence derives from the Latin verb recrudescere, meaning "to become raw again" (used, for example, of wounds). Ultimately, it can be traced back to the Latin word for raw," which is "crudus." (If you suspect that "crude" is also derived from "crudus," you are correct; another well-known descendant is "cruel.") In its literal sense, "recrudescence" is a medical word denoting a renewed outbreak of a disease. In extended use, it most often describes the return of an undesirable condition, such as a war or a plague, or the return of an undesirable idea.

Examples of recrudescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The coverage of Italy’s recent elections in the American press has portrayed the success of Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party as a sudden and dangerous recrudescence of Italy’s fascist past. —

Alexander Stille, The New Republic, 4 Oct. 2022 This is also evident in the recrudescence of the Little House on the Prairie look for younger women, a style that has historically been a favorite among the chronically abstinent. —

Cintra Wilson, The New York Review of Books, 11 Feb. 2020 All this will lead to a recrudescence of interesting political theory. —

The Economist, 19 June 2019 Only this wise, collegial institution prevents a recrudescence of World War II. —

Lionel Shriver, Harper's magazine, 10 Apr. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recrudescence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.