RELAPSE Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

relapse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of relapse

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

Health officials in Senegal interviewed for this story worry that this kind of relapse is happening more broadly. — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 13 June 2026 During that time, Carol faced a relapse of a malignant brain tumor, which had been diagnosed 7 years earlier at the age of 36. — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026

Verb

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 Towards the end of the season, Chris relapses and starts using again, leading to a car crash that leaves him maimed, giving Tony no other option but to whack his underling. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for relapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse

Noun

The tradwife trend is controversial in that it is seen by some as a rejection of feminism and a reversion to a seemingly simpler time.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026
No photos have been revealed yet for next year’s release, but the reversion to the name Super Freak suggests the original details should return as well.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Definition of reversion

Noun

Portlandia aired for eight seasons and 77 episodes on IFC, concluding its run in 2018; check out Rolling Stone’s 20 favorite sketches from Portlandia, as well as Brownstein’s breakdown of the series’ most memorable characters.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2026
Here’s a breakdown of each character’s messy back story and the show’s surprisingly happy ending.

— Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 July 2026

Definition of breakdown

Verb

Cast options on the conspiracy thriller meets police procedural have lapsed, Deadline previously reported, meaning NBC is not keeping any of the stars exclusively tied to the show, a sign there is no life left in the project.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Lotte Shopping and Contentree JoongAng disclosed Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding governing the merger between Lotte Cultureworks and Megabox JoongAng lapsed as of June 30, formally ending the process.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 July 2026

Definition of lapse

Noun

Shriver used her time in Sacramento to revamp the state history museum, build the world’s largest Women’s Conference and launch a program during the recession to provide low-income working families with financial resources.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
But there are hidden masses among us who need only catch a glimpse of its college-Photoshop cover art—a Statue of Liberty with her dress hiked up, dancing like the recession had just been declared over—to feel an instant shiver of pathos and pain.

— Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 5 July 2026

Definition of recession

Noun

That is expected to be a setback to Hanwha Ocean, as the contract was estimated to be up to $100 billion over three decades, according to The Korea Times.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Bryant Vincent’s team has teased in each of his first two years in Monroe, starting 3-1 last season before the roof caved in with eight straight setbacks.

— Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

According to Rahmani, the lawyer who represented the three women after their car crash, Villafranca and Diaz were romantically involved.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the possible crash.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of crash

Noun

But analysts such as London and Malick don’t see anything coming as severe as the housing collapse that triggered the 2008 Great Recession, or even very much negative about the current situation.

— Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
Friday’s national collapse of the electricity system is the fourth this year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of collapse

Browse Nearby Words

relaid

relapse

relapsed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of relapse

noun

verb

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