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
Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
These illnesses rarely trap families in years-long cycles of stability, relapse, and decline.
—Coley Gallagher, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Cody and Jack’s sister Katrina (Emily Meade) is barely mentioned until Cody relapses and breaks into her house to pass out on her couch.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
When people were also treated with a long-acting form of an opioid-blocking medication called naltrexone, relapse rates dropped across all settings — to 59% after short-term inpatient care, 46% after long-term inpatient care and 38% for those treated as outpatients.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
These illnesses rarely trap families in years-long cycles of stability, relapse, and decline.
—Coley Gallagher, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Research suggests that going off the drugs earlier than this can increase the odds of relapsing.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Cody and Jack’s sister Katrina (Emily Meade) is barely mentioned until Cody relapses and breaks into her house to pass out on her couch.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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His lack of playing time and impact at recent stops in Golden State, Miami and Utah will lead many to assume a reversion to past Wolves form isn’t in the cards.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Feb. 2026
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Much of that decline is a reversion to more typical prices following a supply shock triggered by a historic outbreak of bird flu, according to economists.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That decision was reversed last year, when Zaslav and Bloys decided to revert back to the HBO Max name to highlight the strength of HBO’s programming.—
Alex Sherman,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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Besides, the new speed cameras produce most of their violations outside the pick-up and drop-off windows, when the speed limit reverts back to normal and any yellow lights should go dark.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here's a breakdown of the eligibility requirements by program type.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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The table below provides a quick breakdown of which provider is best based on different situations.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That contract lapsed after then-President Joe Biden issued an executive order barring the Department of Justice from contracting with private prisons.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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Statistics obtained from Transportation Security Administration officials show the nationwide callout rate — unscheduled absences by frontline officers — has risen to an average of 6% during the shutdown, compared with about 2% before government funding lapsed.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The report calls into question whether the labor market is actually stabilizing after the worst year for hiring outside of a recession in decades.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Investors should avoid acting hastily, as markets tend to bounce back even in a time of war, Jeff Sommer advised in a column for The New York Times, while noting that there is still a risk the crisis sets off a recession.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was no shortage of setbacks for stocks last week.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Tigers handed previously unbeaten Austin Westlake its first setback of the season, taking control with a second-quarter surge and never letting up on the way to a 51-37 triumph Saturday in the UIL Class 6A Division II state final at the Alamodome.—
Terrence Thomas,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There have been at least 10 people killed in crashes within city limits so far in 2026.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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The baby, who was not restrained, was thrown from Lopez’ vehicle in the crash, causing serious injury, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shortly after the collapse of Hussein’s ruling party, crowds looted government offices and cultural sites.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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John’s insistence on using the George office for anything but actual work related to the magazine, which is perennially on the verge of collapse, is going to give Berman a heart attack.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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