as in reverted
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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Recent Examples of relapsed
Davis, who has struggled with alcohol addiction, became sober 20 years ago, but relapsed after her ex-husband died from a fentanyl overdose, Valdez said.
—
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Months after his death, the Washington Post reported Irsay had relapsed and overdosed multiple times in the last five years, and was being treated by Haroutunian, who allegedly prescribed him opioids and ketamine.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But against the Hawks, the Warriors relapsed into old habits.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Herrera admits she’s relapsed at times.
—Lucas Waldron, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2026
After the transplant, the cancer went into remission but soon relapsed.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Now 26, Paul has undergone a stem cell transplant, completed a 5K, adopted a dog, started a drawing business, relapsed, nearly lost her life to pneumonia in the ICU and left her home in Michigan to move to Houston, Texas, for treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Daniel, like Tim and many others, sought help for addiction before and relapsed often.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
At one point, after Paul has relapsed, Catt comes home and catches a woman sneaking out of their house.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Months after his death, the Washington Post reported Irsay had relapsed and overdosed multiple times in the last five years, and was being treated by Haroutunian, who allegedly prescribed him opioids and ketamine.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
But against the Hawks, the Warriors relapsed into old habits.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Herrera admits she’s relapsed at times.
—Lucas Waldron, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2026
After the transplant, the cancer went into remission but soon relapsed.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Now 26, Paul has undergone a stem cell transplant, completed a 5K, adopted a dog, started a drawing business, relapsed, nearly lost her life to pneumonia in the ICU and left her home in Michigan to move to Houston, Texas, for treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Daniel, like Tim and many others, sought help for addiction before and relapsed often.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
At one point, after Paul has relapsed, Catt comes home and catches a woman sneaking out of their house.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapsed
Verb
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The Tigers then reverted their number to $19 million in their official filing, while Skubal and Boras filed at $32 million, based on Boras’ argument that MLB’s CBA allows for fifth-year players to compare themselves to any player in the league.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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Stoutmire reverted back to his comfort factor with the Razorback staff when asked what stood out about his trip to Fayetteville.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed in mid-February, Transportation Security Administration employees have been left to work without pay.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
For want of an agreement, DHS's annual funding has lapsed, causing the shutdown.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapsed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapsed. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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