relapse

noun

re·lapse | \ ri-ˈlaps

, ˈrē-ˌlaps

Definition of relapse

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

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

relapse

verb

re·lapse | \ ri-ˈlaps

relapsed; relapsing

Definition of relapse (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

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

2 : sink, subside relapse into deep thought

Other Words from relapse More Example Sentences Learn More about relapse

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of relapse in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

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 on the Web: Noun

One relapse took a year, a second only four months. — Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, "Rosario: Terminally ill, a retired social worker champions a “medical aid in dying” law," 10 Sep. 2019 But to keep the blaze from flaring up again — to prevent relapse — people need the materials to rebuild their lives: jobs, housing, financial security, positive social connection, and day-by-day stability. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "In a flash of clarity, lives marred by drugs find meaning," 27 July 2019 That case manager described how her client had a drug relapse, committed a crime and was now looking at a minimum 45-month sentence. — Author: Justin Jouvenal, Anchorage Daily News, "No charges for personal drug possession: Seattle’s bold gamble to bring ‘peace’ after the war on drugs," 24 June 2019 As its main objective, the trial evaluated whether Nuplazid significantly delayed a relapse to psychosis. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Positive results bring early halt to trial of dementia psychosis drug Nuplazid," 9 Sep. 2019 Demi Lovato, caught in a years-long cycle of drug addiction and recovery, has released not only inspirational documentaries about rehab, but also one eerily timely single about relapse. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Real Message Behind Justin Bieber’s Drug Confession," 5 Sep. 2019 Some public-health experts also fear that a sustained nicotine habit, in the form of vaping, may increase a former smoker’s chances of relapse. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Daily E-Cigarette Use Can Help Smokers Quit, According to One of the Most Comprehensive Studies Yet," 24 July 2019 His portrayal this season, especially in the episodes where Schneider deals with the aftermath of his relapse, was a deft demonstration of how to handle addiction story lines with nuance and compassion. — Rachel Yang, EW.com, "One Day at a Time deserved way more Emmys love than its one nomination," 17 July 2019 For example, the study as a whole considered anybody who quit smoking from 2010 onward and found that, in that sample, vaping increased the risk of relapse. — Arman Azad, CNN, "Adults who vape are more likely to quit cigarettes, study finds," 15 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Sometimes seniors relapse quickly after discharge — or worse. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Starving seniors: America is failing to feed its aging citizens, which is costly to them and to everyone else," 5 Sep. 2019 Was this a one-time growth spurt, something that will continue, or just a one-off oddity that will relapse? — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "That Big Black Hole of Ours Sure Is Getting Hungry," 13 Sep. 2019 Henke’s relapse and subsequent overdose would trigger one of the largest drug busts in history. — Matt Mccarthy, USA TODAY, "Ben Westhoff's 'Fentanyl, Inc.' confronts horrible truths about America's opioid epidemic," 2 Sep. 2019 She was first diagnosed with advanced cancer in September 2015 and has relapsed twice following chemotherapy and other treatments. — Rubén Rosario, Twin Cities, "Rosario: Terminally ill, a retired social worker champions a “medical aid in dying” law," 10 Sep. 2019 So Jules goes off to the city without Rue, and Rue walks back home in tears, and then relapses upon her arrival. — Constance Grady, Vox, "Why Euphoria’s messy season finale could mean great things for the show’s future," 11 Aug. 2019 And studies, including the state's own research , also suggest forced treatment largely doesn't work and could raise the danger of overdose for those who relapse after treatment. — USA TODAY, "Could jail-based treatment be the answer to fatal opioid overdoses?," 10 Aug. 2019 The Food and Drug Administration approved Copiktra to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma in adult patients who relapse or don’t get better as a result of at least two prior therapies. — Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Verastem names Brian Stuglik as new CEO," 29 July 2019 About 4% of daily vapers who reported quitting after one year relapsed by the next year, compared to about 3% of non-vapers. — Jamie Ducharme, Time, "Daily E-Cigarette Use Can Help Smokers Quit, According to One of the Most Comprehensive Studies Yet," 24 July 2019

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about relapse

Dictionary Entries near relapse

Statistics for relapse

Last Updated

12 Oct 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for relapse

The first known use of relapse was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for relapse

relapse

noun

English Language Learners Definition of relapse

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the return of an illness after a period of improvement

: a return to bad behavior that you had stopped doing

relapse

verb

English Language Learners Definition of relapse (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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.

See the full definition for relapse in the English Language Learners Dictionary

relapse

noun

re·lapse | \ ri-ˈlaps

, ˈrē-ˌlaps\

Kids Definition of relapse

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

relapsed; relapsing

Kids Definition of relapse (Entry 2 of 2)

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

relapse

noun

re·lapse | \ ri-ˈlaps

, ˈrē-ˌ

Medical Definition of relapse

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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