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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relapse
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Also inexplicable is the movie’s setting circa the dawn of COVID, where masks and quarantine come into play — though for many out there, that was surely a time when relapses were around the bend, the temptation of a bender without judgment and out of view very easily had.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Scientists believe neuroinflammation may contribute to relapse risk and long-term neurological damage in people with alcohol use disorder.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
Indeed, the recent numbers show a sharp shift from modest progress to a relapse towards the danger zone.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Also inexplicable is the movie’s setting circa the dawn of COVID, where masks and quarantine come into play — though for many out there, that was surely a time when relapses were around the bend, the temptation of a bender without judgment and out of view very easily had.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Verb
Philip Sullivan, who runs the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s helpline, said many under-21 prediction site users who reached out for help had relapsed from addictions to other betting platforms.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Scientists believe neuroinflammation may contribute to relapse risk and long-term neurological damage in people with alcohol use disorder.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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For those who are purely rate-motivated, the near-term outlook doesn't offer much relief: the Fed's rate path implies a gradual, modest decline in mortgage rates, not a reversion to pandemic-era levels.—
Jason Kirsch,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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The investor noted that dispersion in semiconductor stocks should force some mean reversion.—
Liz Napolitano,Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Verb
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How registration rates work The cut will temporarily revert tab fees to pre-2024 levels, though individual savings will depend on a vehicle’s value and age.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
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Starbucks’ decision to revert back to its previous inventory system also reflects broader growing pains in how the retail industry has deployed AI.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Noun
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The years surrounding menopause are particularly critical because the drop in estrogen accelerates bone breakdown.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
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Here’s a full breakdown of what zone 2 cardio is, who’s behind it, what a major 2025 research review found, and how to use it in a way that actually makes sense for your life.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Alfonsi said Wednesday that her contract lapsed over the weekend.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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Four days after his arrest, Williams filed a habeas corpus petition arguing that ICE — despite a detainer — had not issued a warrant to take him into custody and was languishing in the jail even after the agreement with the county allowing him to be kept there for 72 hours had lapsed.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Factor in at least one recession and one bout of inflation over the coming decade — both historically normal — and 130% is a reasonable working assumption.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
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Last year, companies, nonprofits and government agencies added fewer than 10,000 jobs a month, weakest hiring outside recession years since 2002.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Putin has increasingly faced setbacks on the battlefield as a Ukrainian drone strike campaign disrupts critical logistics routes and public support at home wanes.—
Jane Lytvynenko,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
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One of the most frightening setbacks came when Asher developed an MRSA bloodstream infection that originated in his port — the device connected to his heart that allows doctors to administer treatment.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Noun
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Grossman did not try to leave the scene after the crash, Holm said.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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That crash occurred three months after Lu was ticketed in Maryland for negligent driving and changing lanes unsafely, according to court records.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Throwing Israel ‘under the bus’ Netanyahu has pushed to strike Iran’s oil facilities to accelerate the regime’s collapse, the official said.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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Then came the collapse of the Assad regime, in Syria, severing the land route long used by Hezbollah to transport rockets, antitank missiles, and precision-guidance systems from its Iranian patron.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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