ATAVISM Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

atavism

noun

Definition of atavism

as in relapse

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Recent Examples of atavism Karp’s ideological atavism is all too typical of the current bent of Silicon Valley. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 Such atavism couldn’t be further from Alexandre Estrela’s technological vision. — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 10 June 2026 Their success depends on a careful combination of atavism and innovation. — David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 Millet plays with the title and with the idea of atavism, in which an ancient trait asserts itself by skipping forward a few generations to suddenly appear in the gene pool. — Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavism

Noun

People in recovery described specific ads and videos triggering relapse.

— Jessica Scheer, STAT, 2 Sep. 2026
Some improved dramatically in just a few days, while others required longer courses to cure their infection and avoid relapse.

— Amy J. Mathers, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of relapse

Noun

And Oklahoma’s Isaiah Sategna got in on the act with an 88-yard punt return touchdown.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Hers was a captivating return, combining the innate theatricality of her poise with a bold, sophisticated style steeped in historical references to haute couture.

— Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of return

Noun

That sense is epitomised by the reversion to goalkeepers who can, unlike some of the strugglers from 2022-23, actually make saves on a consistent basis.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The next decades will be defined by explosive changes and waves of crises, not a reversion to the old order or the creation of a new one.

— Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of reversion

Noun

The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
But after an apparent regression from his rookie season through his injury-riddled 2025 season, there seems to be a hovering narrative hovering that Xavier Worthy isn’t all that.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of regression

Noun

As is to be expected with a player of his age, there will be flashes of brilliance and lapses of concentration in equal measure as Karetsas desperately tries to make things happen every time the ball comes his way.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Still, the episode has little time to dwell on logical lapses because each scene gets its leads closer to an inevitable betrayal one way or another.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 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

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at any rate

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“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of atavism

noun

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