Synonyms of relapses

relapses 1 of 2

noun

plural of relapse

as in breakdowns

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

• breakdowns
• setbacks
• lapses
• reversions
• recessions
• crashes
• collapses
• regressions
• backslides
• returns
• recurrences
• reversals
• ruins
• retrogressions
• atavisms
• meltdowns
• degenerations
• bursts
• undoings
• declines
• outbreaks
• knocks
• renewals
• nondevelopments
• flares
• spurts
• outbursts
• flare-ups
• recrudescences
• flutters
• flashes
• flurries
• flickers

Dissimilar Words

• growths
• gestations
• developments
• maturations
• evolutions
• progressions
• advancements

relapses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of relapse

as in reverts

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

• reverts
• lapses
• backslides
• falls
• returns
• regresses
• retrogresses
• throws back
• ebbs
• degenerates
• drops
• declines
• worsens
• retrogrades

Dissimilar Words

• grows
• advances
• progresses
• develops
• matures
• ripens
• evolves

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relapses

Noun

These results suggest there are potential bodily challenges associated with abstinence that contribute to relapses in alcohol use disorder. — Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

Left untreated, a Cyclospora infection can persist for weeks or even months, cycling through periods of apparent improvement followed by relapses. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

Without treatment, symptoms can continue for a month or longer, and many people experience relapses where symptoms disappear before returning. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 21 July 2026

People whose symptoms clear up over time can still experience relapses for weeks after exposure. — Laura Bradley, Health, 13 July 2026

Individuals with weak immune systems are at higher risk for prolonged illness and relapses of symptoms. — Caroline Kee, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Also inexplicable is the movie’s setting circa the dawn of COVID, where masks and quarantine come into play — though for many out there, that was surely a time when relapses were around the bend, the temptation of a bender without judgment and out of view very easily had. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 May 2026

Her therapist’s harm-reduction tactics helped at times, but the relapses kept coming. — Lev Facher, STAT, 14 May 2026

Using her blog, social media and strategically shot selfies, Amanda claimed to be battling Hodgkin's lymphoma, alternating between remission and relapses at least four times from 2012 to 2016. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

Verb

Then the algorithm gradually relapses unless a user consistently gives the same feedback over and over again. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026

If the patient relapses, the insurance coverage typically resets, allowing the provider to start a fresh billing cycle. — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 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

The story takes quite a few turns, like when the father of Margo’s child and Margo’s former English professor, Mark Gable (Michael Angarano), challenges her for custody of baby Bodhi and when her father tragically relapses into drug addiction towards the end of Season 1. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 May 2026

Cody and Jack’s sister Katrina (Emily Meade) is barely mentioned until Cody relapses and breaks into her house to pass out on her couch. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026