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
Lev Facher, STAT, 14 May 2026
Using her blog, social media and strategically shot selfies, Amanda claimed to be battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, alternating between remission and relapses at least four times from 2012 to 2016.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Delonte West’s Recent String of Arrests West has rebounded and relapsed several times since then.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
Her therapist’s harm-reduction tactics helped at times, but the relapses kept coming.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 14 May 2026
Using her blog, social media and strategically shot selfies, Amanda claimed to be battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, alternating between remission and relapses at least four times from 2012 to 2016.
—Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Verb
Has Jinx relapsed in plain sight?
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 6 May 2026
Delonte West’s Recent String of Arrests West has rebounded and relapsed several times since then.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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The investor noted that dispersion in semiconductor stocks should force some mean reversion.—
Liz Napolitano,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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The situation is one of ideological ferment, rather than a reversion to some Romneyite center.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Any money remaining in the fund will revert back to the federal government, the department said.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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Specifically, axolotl cells have an unusual ability to revert into a more flexible, developmental state after injury.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
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According to spending breakdowns from the California Department of Education, administrative salaries account for a single‑digit share of K–12 education spending statewide.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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And that breakdown can affect facial structure.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
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In most markets, the price increases only apply to new or lapsed subscribers.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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This year, for the first time, the approval lapsed for more than a month.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
19 May 2026
Noun
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This fear of accounts receivables going cold is a sure sign of a recession.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2026
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In the same report, BofA Securities found virtually all money managers are bullish on global economic growth, and only 4% anticipate a hard landing, when economies see a sudden slowdown or even a recession.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
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But on July 1, after years of highs, lows and financial setbacks, Connie & Ted’s will close.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
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Early setbacks — including the contraction of teams like the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny — highlighted the league’s vulnerability.—
Clemente Lisi,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Highway 85 was closed in both directions in Commerce City during the morning commute on Wednesday due to a deadly crash involving five vehicles.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Founder John Giovanazzi survived industry crashes and fickle trends by cultivating young crowds seeking dangerous, hard-to-find sounds.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Noun
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The film centers on Abdul Ahad Momand, who traveled to the Mir space station in 1988 as Afghanistan neared collapse – a moment of brief national hope that has since been largely scrubbed from public memory.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
22 May 2026
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Perhaps there is a collapse coming, the duo seems to say, as the ability of our systems to sustain themselves gets shakier.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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