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.

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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.

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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

Individuals with weak immune systems are at higher risk for prolonged illness and relapses of symptoms. — Caroline Kee, NBC news, 3 July 2026 The news agency didn't give a cause of death, but said the 70-year-old Lam had a cancer relapse last year and was admitted to MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei on Tuesday. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Verb

Oprah Winfrey said that Whitney Houston fell off her talk show stage after relapsing on drugs. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026 Sandberg, who unveiled a statue of his likeness outside Wrigley Field in June 2024, announced in December of that year that his prostate cancer had relapsed and spread to other organs. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for relapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse

Noun

The tradwife trend is controversial in that it is seen by some as a rejection of feminism and a reversion to a seemingly simpler time.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026
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

Definition of reversion

Verb

However, the cells recently reverted from the supergiant state do not have the potential to form supergiants compared to cells produced by normal morphs.

— Jay Kakade July 23, Refractor, 23 July 2026
Unlike farmland converted to housing, solar installations could more easily revert back to farming at the end of a project’s 30-year lifespan.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of revert

Noun

My full start-time and ring-walk breakdown has the finer timing.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
Boise State football held its summer media day on Wednesday afternoon, opening up coaches and 10 players to a cascade of questions, from in-depth positional breakdowns to each player’s favorite childhood TV show.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Definition of breakdown

Verb

Several other broadcasters' contracts have lapsed, with deep pay cuts being expected in some places.

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
But with La Liga’s champions now signing fellow England wide man Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, and Rashford’s £40million release clause for other teams lapsing last week, a new set of negotiations will be required for his exit.

— Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of lapse

Noun

Hamlin’s strong second-place finish was a setback for the two drivers competing with him for the points lead — particularly Tyler Reddick, who finished 30th after a collision with Alex Bowman on Lap 183.

— Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Despite the setbacks, Ali has continued to voice his enthusiasm for the project, if it ever gets picked up.

— Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

Before the crash, Garcia had spent the day drinking alcohol by the Sacramento River, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
All the research Matthews' group had conducted, along with weather data from the time of the crash, was synthesized to develop a map of the most likely location and a search area of 10 square nautical miles.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of crash

Noun

Arrighetti exited the mound at Rate Field after a brief conversation, continuing the right-hander’s confounding, two-month collapse while thrusting Houston’s rotation into a further state of flux.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Hence, the dissolution of Andriy and Bobby, the Ukrainian and Russian duo who already glommed on to each other in the first two episodes of this season of Project Runway and in this episode collapse fully and phenomenally.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Definition of collapse

Browse Nearby Words

relaid

relapse

relapsed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of relapse

noun

verb

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