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
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
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Recent Examples of relapse
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
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
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
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The situation is one of ideological ferment, rather than a reversion to some Romneyite center.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2017, Neverland Ranch was reverted back to its original name of Sycamore Valley Ranch, per Billboard.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Finally, for unknown reasons, hydrangeas of any color may suddenly bloom in green for a year or two before reverting back to their original color.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That breakdown was not available in the CRA filings, and the foundation said the final net figures can fall between 8% and 10% of total raffle revenue.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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About Route 66 Extended Warranty Route 66 offers three extended warranty plans to financially help car owners when a mechanical breakdown occurs.—
Anna Popp,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or to some shaky American accents that keep lapsing.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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That means insurance coverage would not lapse even if parents miss a monthly premium payment.—
Daniel Chang,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Oil traders said the war had already hit demand and could trigger a global recession.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
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Neither metal is considered a reliable recession hedge.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Miami-Dade commissioners on Thursday handed Kelly Tractor another setback in the company’s fight to win Miami-Dade approval to build a headquarters outside the county’s development zone.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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But noise, as well as glare, are typically buffered with vegetative landscaping and setbacks, or the distance between the property line and the nearest structure.—
Anna Clark,
ProPublica,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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William Cruz, 49, of Carteret, NJ, was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian causing injury and failure to exercise due care for the fatal crash that claimed Jenny Maribel Chacho Sanchez on April 17.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
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The corridor, from Del Paso Boulevard to the Steelhead Creek trail crossing, is among the five in Sacramento with the highest numbers of fatal and serious crashes.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But Friday was the collapse that may define their season.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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