atavism

noun

Definition of atavismnext
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 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
  1. relapse
  2. return
  3. reversion
  4. regression
  5. lapse
  6. retrogression
Noun
  • These results suggest there are potential bodily challenges associated with abstinence that contribute to relapses in alcohol use disorder.
    — Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Abstinence, too, was a primary goal, though the toolkit made clear that relapse should be treated as a setback but not necessarily a failure, and that recovery is not necessarily linear.
    — Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of relapse
Noun
  • Some have made videos inspired by 2010s memes, others have celebrated the return of a platform that hearkens back to a time when many felt less pessimistic about the role of social media in their lives.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • After performing his stunning Saxophone Concerto with the San Diego Symphony last year, Banks’ overdue SummerFest debut for three concerts this month augur well for his return here as soon as possible.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of return
Noun
  • 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
  • The study hypothesizes that the supergiant reversion may trigger a cool-down period.
    — Jay Kakade July 23, Refractor, 23 July 2026
Definition of reversion
Noun
  • Over the following five weeks, four more episodes follow him through regression hypnosis, a naked woodland cult and a flotation tank, trailed by a life coach played by comedian Will Hislop, whose credentials came from Instagram.
    — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Today, thanks in part to central air conditioning, there’s a growing argument to keep students in school longer to combat academic regression, as research has shown time off negatively impacts student performance.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of regression
Noun
  • The state and an outside software contractor are at odds about who was at fault, but the lapse is symptomatic of a system under pressure.
    — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This lapse will lead to 5 million more people going without coverage.
    — Diana DeGette, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 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
atavism
atavisms
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Cite this Entry

“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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