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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Lind founded the nonprofit, Team Maureen, in honor of her older sister who died in 2006 after a relapse of cervical cancer.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Only one, with the muscle-damaging condition myositis, has relapsed.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
The trial will also explore which strategies are most effective at avoiding relapse.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Lind founded the nonprofit, Team Maureen, in honor of her older sister who died in 2006 after a relapse of cervical cancer.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
Despite initial treatment success, most patients relapse or develop resistance to the current therapies.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Only one, with the muscle-damaging condition myositis, has relapsed.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 14 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
-
The Iranians will no doubt continue to improve their missiles’ accuracy and performance, but today the missile program is perhaps less of a threat than Iran’s regional meddling or the reversion of its nuclear program back to the pre-JCPOA status quo.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
3 Nov. 2017
-
However, the stock is now beginning to show signs of mean reversion, suggesting a potential rebound may be underway.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Cosmetic risks include asymmetry, visible scars, and ribs that revert back to their original position (mainly from improper corset use, experts say).—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
10 Apr. 2025
-
When her innie reverts back to Gemma, the two enjoy a passionate kiss in the elevator before transforming into Ms. Casey and Mark S., and the intimate moment becomes awkward.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For a deeper look at valuation, see our breakdown on Tesla Valuation: Is TSLA Stock Expensive Or Cheap?.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, fears a breakdown.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Bunny, George, former Vogue fashion columnist Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham) and flight attendant and lapsed Mormon Jerry (Matt Bomer) used to be an inseparable quartet, but time, distance and now George’s death have pulled them apart.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Some have been released; others simply weren’t re-signed when their contracts lapsed.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Tariffs will drive the world economy into recession unless level-minded leaders realize the errors of their ways.—
Phillip Molnar,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Because the 2022 experience still has a lot to tell us about how markets really view the possibility of a recession.—
Michael Foster,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The announcement adds to a string of setbacks in the company’s bid to win a slice of the booming market for GLP-1s, which mimic certain gut hormones to tamp down appetite and regulate blood sugar.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Despite the legislative setback, WeCount! is continuing its advocacy work and its ¡Que Calor! campaign.—
Mimi Whitefield,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
New York Helicopter Tours -- the company involved in the deadly crash on the Hudson River -- is shutting down its operations immediately, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.—
Sam Sweeney,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Both riders had been aiming to make history, but a crash for Pogacar with 37km left saw his Dutch rival ride away to victory, having narrowly avoided falling himself in the same incident.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Dominican officials have not commented on potential causes of the collapse, which also injured more than 255 survivors.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2025
-
At press time, authorities are still investigating the cause of the roof collapse.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share