RELAPSE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

relapse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of relapse

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

relapse

2 of 2

verb

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

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 relapse

Noun

Now, in a study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers have found that a single dose of psilocybin combined with about 10 psychotherapy sessions can reduce cocaine use and lower relapse risk. — Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026 Allison Janney won an Emmy for the Mom episode where her character has a drug relapse. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

The illness can last anywhere from days to over a month if untreated, and symptoms could relapse one or more times after a person feels better. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Seek medical care for prolonged or relapsing watery diarrhea, and ask your provider to specifically request cyclospora testing, as it is not reliably detected on routine stool exams. — Joseph Hernandez august 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse

Noun

That sense is epitomised by the reversion to goalkeepers who can, unlike some of the strugglers from 2022-23, actually make saves on a consistent basis.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of reversion

Verb

The exact process for reverting adult cells back to an early embryonic stage, however, wasn’t clear.

— Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
The lease limits what can be built on the site and once the agreement is complete, ownership reverts back to the Spanglers.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of revert

Noun

The human neurons suffered severe, selective damage, mimicking the cellular breakdown that causes cerebral palsy in human infants during difficult childbirths.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
Things like sewer line backup, service line damage and equipment breakdown coverage all bulk up the price of your policy.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of breakdown

Verb

Those protections are part of a CISA provision that lapsed once, and Congress must soon decide if the provision should be extended.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
The last remaining arms control agreement between Moscow and Washington, New START, lapsed in February, and for the first time since 1972, nothing limits Russia’s and the United States’ expansion of their offensive or defensive nuclear forces.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of lapse

Noun

Even amid growing public fatigue, recession and stagnating living standards, the massive state propaganda machine and tight control over the election all but assure United Russia's victory.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
But recessions have typically taken much longer to arrive, averaging 42 months from the first hike to the next downturn, and sometimes don't materialize at all.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of recession

Noun

The helicopter moves quickly away from the bus crash site and starts losing altitude.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
The pilot reported mechanical difficulties moments before the crash in the southeast corner of the airport, The Times reported at the time.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of crash

Noun

When Green Bay lost its 12-point lead en route to a blowout Sunday, the collapse revived alarm bells about the team’s ability to close out games.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026
The department said eight units of an apartment building on Grace Avenue above the collapse were evacuated.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of collapse

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relaid

relapse

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of relapse

noun

verb

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