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
Michelle Maves, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
His main goal is to provide support and encouragement, especially during relapses.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Daniel, like Tim and many others, sought help for addiction before and relapsed often.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
Even with the great treatments that are available, progression of the disease may still continue and can’t be totally stopped, even without relapses.
—Michelle Maves, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
His main goal is to provide support and encouragement, especially during relapses.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
The story follows three addicts who, after their best friend’s overdose, join a secluded mountain sober house to get clean — only to discover the program’s most committed attendee is a recovering serial killer who’s relapsing in his own way.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
Daniel, like Tim and many others, sought help for addiction before and relapsed often.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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Mean-reversion bubbles, by contrast, are fads that inflate and collapse without transforming the underlying industry.—
Brian Blank,
The Conversation,
29 Dec. 2025
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Platinum--a key metal in catalytic converters--is also benefitting from the energy reversion trade.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That move is historically overextended and is likely to revert closer to the mean.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
16 Dec. 2025
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But Reiner said Shearer eventually realized that the movie’s stars hadn’t actually made that much money from the movie, and Shearer eventually got the rights to revert back to the creators.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Three breakdowns appear repeatedly.—
Katerin Le Folcalvez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
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Boston led late in the first half, but Denver capitalized on a rebounding breakdown to pull even.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When a partner transforms fundamentally, obligations may lapse without dishonor.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Dogs with older licenses that have lapsed also are eligible.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, there was more buzz about a recession and job cuts in October that have been the highest in 22 years.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
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Selling out a popular venue like The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on a windy Wednesday night in the middle of a daunting recession ain’t easy.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Backups Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris suffered setbacks in subsequent weeks, pushing the Chiefs down to their last options at tackle on the depth chart.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Conversely, collision coverage helps when your own car is damaged in a crash, whereas medical coverage helps cover treatment costs following an accident.—
Ethan M. Stone,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Colorado State Patrol said the crash happened near Tordal Way, south of Frisco.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If trees and powerlines collapse, there's a chance that patio furniture can become airborne.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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The Sacramento Kings suffered another fourth-quarter collapse as their losing streak continued with another blowout loss.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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