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.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relapse
Mark Tatge, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Jim Irsay, the former Indianapolis Colts owner who died in May, reportedly suffered a relapse before his death and was under the care of a recovery doctor who prescribed him opioids and ketamine.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Irsay’s trips to the hospital were largely private under an agreement with medical staff, according to the Post, which says a handful of people in his orbit grew concerned about him possibly relapsing into addiction.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Noun
Curtis’ research has already led to identification of distinct genomic subtypes that predict a breast cancer relapse up to two decades after diagnosis.
—Mark Tatge, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Jim Irsay, the former Indianapolis Colts owner who died in May, reportedly suffered a relapse before his death and was under the care of a recovery doctor who prescribed him opioids and ketamine.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
After just three months of the partnership, Harrington Hospital saw a 50 percent reduction in hospital readmission rates in the 30 days after patients were initially discharged—a time span where patients are especially vulnerable to relapse.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Irsay’s trips to the hospital were largely private under an agreement with medical staff, according to the Post, which says a handful of people in his orbit grew concerned about him possibly relapsing into addiction.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for relapse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse
Noun
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That prompted the Gusman heirs to reclaim ownership of the property, arguing that a reversion clause in the deed had been triggered when the MPA stepped back from managing the building.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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Typical mean-reversion action in a market drawing itself onto neutral footing before the Fed decision.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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During the team’s media day on Monday, Yang spoke some English but in mid-sentence would revert back to Chinese, producing a mix of English and Chinese that leaves the affable 7-footer chuckling at himself.—
Jason Quick,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Lawyers for the national council argued that reverting it back under New Jersey’s operation would have devastating consequences.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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See video … Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for a breakdown on how a new drug pricing deal could cut Medicaid costs and reshape prescription transparency.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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The fact Nuno did not have the opportunity to work with his entire squad last summer — only two new additions had arrived in time to join the training camp in Portugal — played a role in the breakdown of his relationship with the Forest hierarchy.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement While many Republicans view the ACA subsidies as a temporary pandemic-era measure that should now lapse, a handful of GOP moderates in Congress have broken ranks.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
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What’s more, two critical trade preference programs—the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Haiti HOPE-HELP—lapsed on Tuesday without renewals.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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While some on Wall Street are worried about a recession, recent economic data show that GDP growth is actually speeding up faster than earlier numbers indicated.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
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Based on the latest regional gauge data, streams and creeks have crested and quick recession of any standing water is anticipated.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Seeking an explanation for this unexpected setback, Army Special Operations reached out in 2021 to my lab at Ohio State University.—
Angus Fletcher,
Big Think,
29 Sep. 2025
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Four senior players were ruled out with significant physical setbacks last week.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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So, a crypto crash will come and may take down our economy with it.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Beyond the mental clarity and razor sharp focus, taking mushrooms like lion’s mane also comes without many of the potential side effects that are typically associated with stimulants like jitters, energy spikes, and mid-day crashes.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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High seas and rough surf from two hurricanes have been blamed for the collapse of seven houses on North Carolina's Outer Banks.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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After the collapse, the city placed the building on the dangerous buildings list and issued an order that it being repaired or demolished.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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