RELAPSE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of relapse

Noun

Without preparation for the possibility of relapse or continued vulnerability, they are left more exposed, not less, to the risks of further use. —

Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026 Lyonne recently gave fans an update on her health just months after a relapse in her sobriety. —

Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026

Verb

The other two have a more common form of MS, called relapsing MS. —

Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026 In reality, lupus tends to follow a relapsing-remitting pattern. —

Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse

Noun

As a mean reversion trader, hunting down these exact laggards is my primary focus, operating on the premise that a rising tide will eventually lift all boats.

— Nishant Pant, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
The situation is one of ideological ferment, rather than a reversion to some Romneyite center.

— Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026