ATAVISM Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

atavism

noun

Definition of atavism

as in relapse

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of atavism Early on, these doctors-cum-criminal-profilers explained bad apples through theories such as atavism. — WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023 If learning and gentility are signs of civilization, perhaps our almost-big brains are straining against their residual atavism, struggling to expand. — Richard Granger, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022 Is my interest in the moon some dormant atavism from a more primitive era of human life? — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022 Western elites believed that in the twenty-first century, cosmopolitanism and globalism would triumph over atavism and tribal loyalties. — Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2017 See All Example Sentences for atavism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavism

Noun

Clinical results for remibrutinib in relapsing MS appear to be similar to Roche's rival BTK inhibitor fenebrutinib, but less effective at preventing relapses than anti-CD20 treatments such as Kesimpta, according to Bar-Or.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
Early discontinuation is one of the strongest predictors of relapse and overdose.

— Yashaswini Singh, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of relapse

Noun

There is tension in any business where customers want better value, franchisees want healthier returns, and shareholders want faster growth.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Will Garrett’s return free Donald from double teams and other schemes?

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of return

Noun

Teams should decide in advance which regressions are serious enough to block a change.

— Hiren Dhaduk, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
But a combination of injuries and regression by the bullpen and several of the team’s top offensive stars led to a 2026 season filled with disappointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of regression

Noun

Obviously there’s been some lapses … So the defense is there minus some spurts.

— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026
And in a certain way the lapse embodied a vulnerability, discipline, that was supposed to be a point of emphasis on offense this season with the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of lapse

Noun

This book is all about the fight to stem the tide of retrogression.

— Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2025
Visa retrogression might become more of an issue for Indian and Chinese applicants who invest under the high-unemployment category due to its more limited availability.

— Sam Silverman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

Definition of retrogression

Browse Nearby Words

at any rate

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“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of atavism

noun

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