relapse

noun re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps , ˈrē-ˌlaps \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of relapse

1 : the act or an instance of backsliding, worsening, or subsiding

2 : a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement

See relapse defined for English-language learners

See relapse defined for kids

Examples of relapse in a Sentence

Everyone thought she was well until a sudden relapse sent her back to the hospital.
a drug addict who has had a relapse
a drug addict who has a history of relapse

Recent Examples of relapse from the Web

Almost all patients eventually have a relapse, sometimes as soon as five years, according to Sherif Farag, a hematologist and oncologist at Indiana University Health.

— david woods, Indianapolis Star, "Mini-marathon 'saved my life,' cancer survivor says," 2 May 2018
Cornerstone would provide several months of inpatient treatment and up to a year's worth of Vivitrol, a monthly $1,000 shot that blocks cravings and helps prevent relapse.

— abby goodnough, Anchorage Daily News, "Injecting drugs can ruin a heart. How many second chances should a user get?," 30 Apr. 2018
Cornerstone would provide several months of inpatient treatment and up to a year’s worth of Vivitrol, a monthly $1,000 shot that blocks cravings and helps prevent relapse.

— abby goodnough, New York Times, "Injecting Drugs Can Ruin a Heart. How Many Second Chances Should a User Get?," 29 Apr. 2018
The injury relapse subsequently forced him out of the Mexico Open and Masters tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami, but Nadal appears to be back to his ruthless and rapid best on clay.

— jerome pugmire, The Seattle Times, "Even modest Nadal impressed by record 31st Masters title," 22 Apr. 2018
Over the last 30 years, the Grammy-winning composer has battled cancer nine times, with countless remissions and relapses in between.

— jordan diaz, Billboard, "Dance Hitmaker Fred Rister Details His Terminal Battle With Cancer & Emotional Last Single 'I Want A Miracle'," 10 Apr. 2018
Treatment for scarlet fever is a course of antibiotics, which must be completed to be rid of the bacteria and avoid a relapse.

— meera senthilingam and sandee lamotte, CNN, "Health agency warns UK parents as scarlet fever cases soar," 27 Mar. 2018
Redner’s doctor ordered a juicing treatment that uses live marijuana plants to prevent a relapse of stage 4 lung cancer, according to court documents.

— dara kam, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lung cancer survivor can grow pot, judge again rules," 17 Apr. 2018
Former addicts know all too well the risks of relapse.

— simon montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, "Tulsa experiment: Can investing in children early reverse poverty cycle?," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'relapse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of relapse

Middle English, from Medieval Latin relapsus, from Latin relabi to slide back, from re- + labi to slide — more at sleep

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

relapse

verb re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps \

Definition of relapse

relapsed; relapsing

intransitive verb

1 : to slip or fall back into a former worse state

2 : sink, subside

relapse into deep thought

—

relapser

noun

See relapse defined for English-language learners

Examples of relapse in a Sentence

If you don't continue your treatment, you could relapse.
Malaria can relapse years after the original infection.
The country soon relapsed into chaos.
She stayed out of trouble for a long time, but then she relapsed into her old ways.

Recent Examples of relapse from the Web

People with opioid addictions often relapse multiple times on the road to recovery.

— teresa wiltz, USA TODAY, "When Trump signed spending bill, he signed into law a huge overhaul of foster care," 5 May 2018
And many patients relapse after a couple of years on the drugs.

— jocelyn kaiser, Science | AAAS, "A cancer drug tailored to your tumor? Experts trade barbs over ‘precision oncology’," 24 Apr. 2018
Patients became interns, interns became employees, employees would relapse and then return to being patients.

— hillel aron, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Story of This Drug Rehab-Turned-Violent Cult Is Wild, Wild Country-Caliber Bizarre," 23 Apr. 2018
If people relapse, they are referred back to the hubs to be stabilized again.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Top U.S. health official: Opioid addiction is a chronic brain disease. Medication can help treat it.," 17 Apr. 2018
It’s being used in patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Poseida raises $30.5 million for cancer cell therapy," 4 Apr. 2018
In results presented late last year, five children with leukemia who were infused with the therapy went into remission, but two relapsed quickly and a third died from transplant complications.

— rebecca robbins, STAT, "Sign up for our biotech newsletter, The Readout," 3 Apr. 2018
Jane, terrified of her mother relapsing after any upcoming surgery, desperately wants Xo to choose the double mastectomy.

— refinery29.com, "You’re Doing Yourself A Disservice By Missing Last Week’s Jane The Virgin," 26 Mar. 2018
And the results indicated that Kyprolis should replace Velcade as the standard of care when a patient relapses with multiple myeloma.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Amgen employee in Denmark violated the law by posting a press release on LinkedIn," 22 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of relapse

circa 1534

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

RELAPSE Defined for English Language Learners

relapse

noun

Definition of relapse for English Language Learners

: the return of an illness after a period of improvement
: a return to bad behavior that you had stopped doing

relapse

verb

Definition of relapse for English Language Learners

: to become ill again after a period of improvement in health
of an illness : to return or become worse after leaving or improving for a period of time
: to return to a bad condition, form of behavior, etc.

RELAPSE Defined for Kids

relapse

noun re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps , ˈrē-ˌlaps \

Definition of relapse for Students

1 : a return of illness after a period of improvement

2 : a return to a former and undesirable state or condition

a relapse into bad habits

relapse

verb re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps \

Definition of relapse for Students

relapsed; relapsing

: to return to a former state or condition (as of illness or bad behavior) after a change for the better

Medical Dictionary

relapse

noun re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps , ˈrē-ˌ \

medical Definition of relapse

: a recurrence of illness; especially : a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement

a relapse after an 18-month remission
—M. T. Fosburg et al

— compare recrudescence

relapse

intransitive verb re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps \

medical Definition of relapse

relapsed; relapsing

: to slip or fall back into a former worse state (as of illness) after a change for the better

the patient relapsed twice in four years

Learn More about relapse

See words that rhyme with relapse Spanish Central: Translation of relapse Nglish: Translation of relapse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of relapse for Arabic speakers

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relapse

Definition of relapse

Examples of relapse in a Sentence

Recent Examples of relapse from the Web

Origin and Etymology of relapse

relapse

Definition of relapse

relapser

Examples of relapse in a Sentence

Recent Examples of relapse from the Web

First Known Use of relapse

RELAPSE Defined for English Language Learners

relapse

Definition of relapse for English Language Learners

relapse

Definition of relapse for English Language Learners

RELAPSE Defined for Kids

relapse

Definition of relapse for Students

relapse

Definition of relapse for Students

Medical Dictionary

relapse

medical Definition of relapse

relapse

medical Definition of relapse

Learn More about relapse

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