ATAVISMS Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

atavisms

noun

plural of atavism

as in relapses

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavisms

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
Left untreated, a Cyclospora infection can persist for weeks or even months, cycling through periods of apparent improvement followed by relapses.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of relapses

Noun

Expect some showers and storms in the Twin Cities on Thursday before quieter weather returns for the weekend.

— Joseph Dames, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
An influx of money from the United States has altered the ownership landscape beyond recognition in the last 20 years, with private equity groups, such as Clearlake, seeing an opportunity for long-term returns.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of returns

Noun

Watch for and prune out any reversions, which are individual shoots lacking variegation.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
But there are a wide range of both broken skills and weapons (go try out Sturm), and some promised updates or nerf reversions don’t seem to have happened at all.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Definition of reversions

Noun

Construction accidents are common in India, where rapid infrastructure growth often collides with fragile geology, construction lapses, extreme weather and safety standards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Haiti’s prisons are not only notorious for their security lapses, but often the only way prisoners eat is if food is provided by friends and relatives.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lapses

Noun

Instead, the team has encountered numerous significant injuries and performance regressions throughout the roster.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
That desire has fueled the growth of the group's WhatsApp chat, where more than 100 fathers swap advice on everything from sleep regressions and picky eaters to potty training and weekend activities.

— Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026

Definition of regressions

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.

Browse Nearby Words

atavism

atavisms

atavistic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Atavisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavisms. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of atavisms

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes