Synonyms of relapse

relapse 1 of 2

noun

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

• reversion
• breakdown
• lapse
• recession
• setback
• crash
• collapse
• regression
• return
• recurrence
• backslide
• reversal
• retrogression
• atavism
• undoing
• meltdown
• ruin
• degeneration
• decline
• burst
• renewal
• knock
• nondevelopment
• outbreak
• recrudescence
• flare
• flutter
• outburst
• spurt
• flare-up
• flicker
• flurry
• flash

Dissimilar Words

• growth
• maturation
• gestation
• development
• evolution
• progression
• ripening
• advancement

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.

Related Words

• revert
• lapse
• return
• fall
• backslide
• regress
• retrogress
• throw back
• decline
• ebb
• degenerate
• worsen
• drop
• retrograde

Dissimilar Words

• grow
• mature
• develop
• advance
• evolve
• ripen
• progress

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relapse

Noun

Even when children are cured, there can be side effects from the treatment, and the possibility of a relapse is always lurking. — Kate Bilo, CBS News, 16 June 2026

Health officials in Senegal interviewed for this story worry that this kind of relapse is happening more broadly. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 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