relapse

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noun re·lapse \ ri-ˈlaps , ˈrē-ˌ \

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

The popularity of vaping devices among The Millennials, and the concerted efforts to grow that market share and foster nicotine addictions among young people, are an intensely problematic historical relapse.

— james hamblin, The Atlantic, "Smoking Versus Edibles," 18 Aug. 2017
Experts say that quitting drug use without the use of such medications has a higher incidence of relapse and can be stressful on a fetus.

— emma ockerman, chicagotribune.com, "Pregnant women addicted to opioids face tough choices," 15 Aug. 2017
Stop too soon and you risk relapse, potentially allowing the microbes causing the disease to proliferate and form resistance.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "This Is Why Taking Fish Medicine Is Truly a Bad Idea," 30 July 2017
Doctors slowly taper down your dose or substitute a different drug for the one that's being overused so as to prevent withdrawal symptoms that can lead to relapse.

— stacey colino, Good Housekeeping, "The Science Behind Opioids and Why They're So Addictive," 27 July 2017
Also, it has been shown to reduce the risk of relapse compared to traditional treatment programs without medication.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Naperville hospital tackles opioid epidemic," 11 July 2017
Some studies have also found those qualities also affect the likelihood of relapse after abstaining from an addiction.

— stacey burling, Philly.com, "Penn study: Online brain training fails another test," 10 July 2017
The other five all had relapses, but one became cancer free after an ant-PD-1 immunotherapy.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Custom cancer vaccines safely fight and kill tumors in early human trials," 6 July 2017
The young man's relapse came after a year of sobriety, a steady job delivering pizzas at Papa John's and an engagement to his high school sweetheart.

— brie zeltner, cleveland.com, "Opiate overdose victim, organ donor, saves life of woman in addiction recovery (photos)," 25 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

relapse

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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

One area expert in drugs and addiction says without an in-patient rehabilitation program, addicts are likely to relapse at a higher rate, a fact backed up by national research.

— Howard County Times, "Stronger actions to battle heroin [Editorial]," 23 Aug. 2017
The treatment, Besponsa (or inotuzumab ozogamicin) is approved for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "The FDA Just Approved a New Pfizer Cancer Drug for a Rare, Vicious Leukemia," 18 Aug. 2017
Out of the six participants, four didn't experience relapse.

— sarah kinonen, Allure, "Skin Cancer Vaccines Now Exist — Here's What You Need to Know," 10 Aug. 2017
On May 12, I was diagnosed with MS, relapsing and remitting.

— tom hallman jr., OregonLive.com, "Tom Hallman: Devastating news, which she decided to share," 4 Aug. 2017
Overall, the evidence of persistent infections—which threaten to relapse and spark new outbreaks—adds extra concern for an already alarming pathogen.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "“Post-Ebola syndrome” is something else to keep you up at night," 19 July 2017
With drug addiction, which can be a hidden issue and can involve treatment, recovery and relapse, the decision to take a parent's children away can be difficult and take a very long time.

— author: perry stein, lindsey bever, Alaska Dispatch News, "Nation’s opioid crisis overwhelms foster-care system," 1 July 2017
The girls, who also have a 4-year-old sister, received chemotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and while Kenedi has been in remission for 21 months, Kendal’s relapsed after 17 months.

— Fox News, "Cancer returns in toddler who overcame disease with identical twin as infant," 27 June 2017
Tim turned to heroin many times, and also quit many times, but always relapsed.

— steve smith, Courant Community, "Personal Stories Highlight Opioid Forum," 6 June 2017

First Known Use of relapse

circa 1534

RELAPSE Defined for English Language Learners

relapse

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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

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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

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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

play

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

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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

play

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

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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

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