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

Rates of relapse among nonpregnant patients averaged 72%, according to a systematic review of 13 studies. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 Moore and Rumer’s relationship has previously faced challenges, particularly around Moore’s split from Ashton Kutcher and her subsequent relapse. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

Chris wound up relapsing and tragically dying from a fentanyl overdose in 2018. — David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 Around 2016, Moore and her children became estranged for three years when the actress relapsed with substance abuse. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relapse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapse

Noun

Referred to as reversions, these should also be removed promptly.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 Sep. 2026
That sense is epitomised by the reversion to goalkeepers who can, unlike some of the strugglers from 2022-23, actually make saves on a consistent basis.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reversion

Noun

Here’s a breakdown of the streaming platforms offering ABC for Grey’s Anatomy Season 23.

— Sophie Dunne, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
On June 11, WSU’s director of financial reporting asked Masterson for a breakdown of GoCreate’s software costs for the FY26 university audit.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of breakdown

Noun

The brief recession sparked by the Covid pandemic triggered another wave of funding cuts for colleges and universities.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Keynesianism gets a brain freeze John Maynard Keynes is basically the father of macroeconomics, the study of how the entire economy works, including what the government can do to fight recessions, boost employment, and control inflation.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of recession

Noun

Even after the setback, young households remained wealthier than their counterparts were before the pandemic.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Embracing uncertainty does not mean ignoring danger, suppressing disappointment or insisting that every setback is positive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

The character was killed in a helicopter crash in Amritsar, Indian that also involved the Indian Prime Minister.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
After co-headlining with Charli xcx at the peak of Brat Summer, Sivan was struck by his post-show emotional crash, when the roar of stadiums gave way to the quiet of being totally on his own.

— Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of crash

Noun

The study does not establish that every future change is irreversible or that Thwaites must accelerate toward total collapse.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
David Waldowski Laguna Woods The excuses for the Dodgers collapse flew off the page minutes after the last out of Game 4.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relapse

noun

verb

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