relapse

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

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: relapse in a Sentence

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

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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

Redner was prescribed juicing treatments from his doctor to prevent a relapse of stage 4 lung cancer.

— joe reedy, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Judge considers lifting stay on Florida smokable medical pot," 4 June 2018
About 20% of patients are left with seizure disorder and personality changes, while a small number relapse, according to the CDC.

— manveena suri, CNN, "As Nipah virus spread is suspected, government to compensate victims," 24 May 2018
Every relapse can lead to a potentially fatal overdose, especially after a user has gone through detoxification and lowered his or her tolerance for opioids.

— ginger christ, cleveland.com, "A 'disservice' to people? U.S. Senate candidate Mike Gibbons' addiction center uses controversial methods," 27 Apr. 2018
In the lawsuit, provided to the Cut by Lindsay Hogan and Judd Grossman at Grossman LLP, Greenleaf claims that she was fired after confiding in her supervisors at NBC and LX about her relapse of severe depression following the loss of a dear friend.

— amanda arnold, The Cut, "Ex-Talk Stoop Host Is Suing NBC for Disability Discrimination," 3 Apr. 2018
Mostly, her urine was dirty from her drug relapses.

— yosha gunasekera, Marie Claire, "How One Woman's Sexual Abuse Resulted in Years Behind Bars," 11 May 2018
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

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

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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

The shock of potentially losing her daughter caused Musgroves, who had been sober, to relapse.

— mary jo pitzl, The Republic | azcentral.com, "Together again: Court celebrates parents who did the work to get kids back," 3 June 2018
House prices are still rising—for now—meaning the second-half slowdown is unlikely to be overly severe, unless trade tensions or the eurozone’s incipient relapse into crisis really damage external demand.

— nathaniel taplin, WSJ, "China Won’t Save Global Growth," 31 May 2018
After six weeks without therapy, her husband relapsed.

— mary ellen klas, miamiherald, "Cash-strapped Florida prison agency wants private vendor to profit from inmate visits," 31 May 2018
Many rehab participants succumbed to temptation and relapsed, stealing residents’ prescriptions.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "“Like slavery”: Rehab patients forced into unpaid labor to cover “treatment”," 22 May 2018
That is remarkable considering more than 80 percent of heroin users relapse into addiction after starting treatment.

— kevin fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF mayor’s bold plan to treat heroin addicts on the street," 16 May 2018
After approximately three years, about 6% of the stem cell group experienced relapses, while 60% of the people in the control group receiving standard treatment relapsed.

— alice park, Time, "Stem Cell Treatment Could Be a Game-Changer for People With MS," 19 Mar. 2018
One week of treatment with a non-psychoactive marijuana compound could help drug addicts and alcoholics from relapsing for months, a new study found.

— josh magness, kansascity, "Marijuana compound might help keep drug addicts, alcoholics from relapsing, study finds | The Kansas City Star," 24 Mar. 2018
While about 80% to 85% of people first diagnosed with MS are diagnosed with the relapsing form, that can evolve into progressive MS over time.

— alice park, Time, "Stem Cell Treatment Could Be a Game-Changer for People With MS," 19 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.