as in relapse
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Recent Examples of atavism
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
This sumptuous piece of theatrical atavism bore little resemblance to the actual events of Mozart’s life, but most nonpurist musicians happily accepted the melodramatization; quite apart from the thespian pyrotechnics, the sophisticated choice of music was a revelation.
—Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 22 Dec. 2022
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
Obama crashed against a wall of atavism and paranoia.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 29 Jan. 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
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
This sumptuous piece of theatrical atavism bore little resemblance to the actual events of Mozart’s life, but most nonpurist musicians happily accepted the melodramatization; quite apart from the thespian pyrotechnics, the sophisticated choice of music was a revelation.
—Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 22 Dec. 2022
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
Obama crashed against a wall of atavism and paranoia.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 29 Jan. 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
-
And withdrawal from 7-OH can last significantly longer than traditional opioid withdrawal — up to three months — a factor that complicates treatment and increases the risk of relapse, according to the International Society of Substance Use Professionals.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
For many individuals, such medications reduce symptoms, improve functioning, prevent relapse, and support recovery.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
In a June 2024 press release, the company revealed that three research astronauts, including a return passenger named Kellie Gerardi, will take part in a scientific mission in partnership with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
-
The service Friendly and considerate, the Datai’s staff—many of whom have been here since the very start—reflect the resort's exceptionally high return rate, with some months hitting 60% returning guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Meta is lingering around the 150-day moving average, and, having recently fallen below it, this reversion may be a head fake.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The situation is one of ideological ferment, rather than a reversion to some Romneyite center.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also, the Spurs are due for shooting regression from deep, whereas the Blazers have gotten unlucky from 3-point range.—
Geoff Clark OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The team had shown signs of regression, not least in heavy defeats to Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Franklin’s post, which included a time lapse of her artistic process, accrued hundreds of comments praising her work as well as the film’s decision to hire a human artist for the project.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
3 May 2026
-
With the powers set to lapse, the House would likely accept a short-term extension.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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