as in reversion
the act or an instance of returning to a usually worse state or condition
She discussed some ways to help avoid a relapse after quitting smoking. After a long period of cancer remission, he suffered a relapse.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in to revert
to return to a usually worse state or condition
After a few good months of keeping their rooms clean, the kids relapsed into their old untidy habits.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relapse
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
In a cover story for People, Karamo Brown said that the pressures of the show, tensions with his castmates, and producer mismanagement contributed to his relapse on drugs and alcohol while filming season three in 2018, after over a decade of sobriety.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Yet the economic health of households relapsed in 2022, when inflation spiked and those federal assistance programs began to expire, shrinking the social safety net at the same time millions of families were moving closer to the edge.
—Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
The jail has also implemented a Vivitrol program that helps inmates struggling with alcohol dependence and can help prevent relapse for those with opioid dependence after detoxing, Martinez said.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
In a cover story for People, Karamo Brown said that the pressures of the show, tensions with his castmates, and producer mismanagement contributed to his relapse on drugs and alcohol while filming season three in 2018, after over a decade of sobriety.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Verb
In Sunday night’s finale, Zendaya‘s Rue Bennett dies of a fentanyl overdose after relapsing on laced Percocet given to her by Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Yet the economic health of households relapsed in 2022, when inflation spiked and those federal assistance programs began to expire, shrinking the social safety net at the same time millions of families were moving closer to the edge.
—Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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No photos have been revealed yet for next year’s release, but the reversion to the name Super Freak suggests the original details should return as well.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
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For those who are purely rate-motivated, the near-term outlook doesn't offer much relief: the Fed's rate path implies a gradual, modest decline in mortgage rates, not a reversion to pandemic-era levels.—
Jason Kirsch,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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As light can selectively target the fluid, scientists were able to print microscopic conductive patterns that completely vanish once exposed to open air, which reverts the gel back into non-conductive liquid clusters.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 June 2026
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Moreover, requiring a name change now, only to potentially revert back to the current name after appeal, would be incredibly confusing for the public.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
The breakdown counts 91 million backyard birders, or 35% of the US population, while 43 million people, about 16%, have taken trips of at least a mile specifically to watch birds.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
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Providers have responded by offering more detailed consultations, treatment breakdowns, and warranty information.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The Senate could debate a proposal to restart the foreign surveillance program that lapsed on Friday.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
16 June 2026
-
But measures have lapsed in recent months.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
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How long the sustainability recession will last is unknown, but will likely take years.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
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By 1970, the nation was in a recession.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Despite setbacks, Trout remains a superstar, but his comments about Philly appear more reflective than predictive of a move.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
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But the company’s appeal, particularly in the face of setbacks, is also reliant on a combination of story and Musk’s own image in ways that are not necessarily connected to reality.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
20 June 2026
Noun
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From a national pie shop victory to a fatal military crash and a baseball controversy reaching the White House, Wednesday delivered a wide range of stories for Sacramento readers.—
Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
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The crash was the first to take place at the base since May 18, 1992, when a twin-engine Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise crashed during landing, killing two crew members on board.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Noun
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Such lifting of sanctions all but guarantees that the Iranian regime will be bolstered mere months after protests brought it to the brink of collapse.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
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Firefighters confirmed that the building sustained severe structural damage but ruled out the possibility of a complete collapse.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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