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
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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.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relapse
MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Curtis’ research has already led to identification of distinct genomic subtypes that predict a breast cancer relapse up to two decades after diagnosis.
—Mark Tatge, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Irsay’s trips to the hospital were largely private under an agreement with medical staff, according to the Post, which says a handful of people in his orbit grew concerned about him possibly relapsing into addiction.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
This improves adherence to medical recommendations and reduces the likelihood of complications or relapses.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Curtis’ research has already led to identification of distinct genomic subtypes that predict a breast cancer relapse up to two decades after diagnosis.
—Mark Tatge, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
After just three months of the partnership, Harrington Hospital saw a 50 percent reduction in hospital readmission rates in the 30 days after patients were initially discharged—a time span where patients are especially vulnerable to relapse.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Irsay’s trips to the hospital were largely private under an agreement with medical staff, according to the Post, which says a handful of people in his orbit grew concerned about him possibly relapsing into addiction.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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The stock is down about 17% over the past 17 days and has now slipped into a zone where a mean reversion bounce could set up.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Biden administration completed the reversion to a Cold War frame, declaring a global divide between democracies and autocracies, with China and Russia reprising their roles as principal foes.—
JENNIFER KAVANAGH,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Given that context, HD may offer a favorable risk-reward setup for a mean-reverting bounce.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
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My makeup routine hasn’t completely reverted.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The sound that accompanies his subsequent mechanical breakdown is every bit as nauseating as the show's more organic moments.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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Here’s a breakdown to help separate fact from fiction.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Without a compromise to address lapsing health insurance subsidies, Democrats refused to change their votes.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
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When deadlines for renewing programs collide with larger funding fights, important benefits can lapse, not because lawmakers chose to end them but because the fights over broader spending leave little room for resolution.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With 70% of the country now in or nearing recession, Americans are already feeling gloomier.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
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That period has coincided with data releases indicating a sharp labor market slowdown, which some observers consider a harbinger of a possible recession.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In early September, the group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaida affiliate, announced a ban on fuel imports from neighboring countries in what analysts say poses huge risks for the fragile local economy and is a significant setback for Mali’s military junta.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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The latest setback came when Miami let a late lead slip away in a 29-27 Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Crash reported on eastbound I-70 A crash has been reported on I-70 between US-40/31st Street/Exit 7 and Manchester Trafficway/Exit 7.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
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Reese’s fans should go straight for the Peanut Butter Cup flavor, which scratches that candy bar itch without the sugar crash.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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More than two years of war have left Gaza in ruins, triggering famine and the collapse of essential infrastructure.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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His debut novel, Satantango, published in 1985, followed the collapse of a rural community in Hungary, while more recent works, including the novels The Prisoner of Urga and Destruction and Sorrow Beneath the Heavens, were inspired by the author’s travels to Mongolia and China.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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