RELAPSES Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

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.

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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.

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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 relapses

Noun

Other medications are used to treat acute relapses or manage symptoms such as fatigue, walking difficulties, spasticity and bladder problems. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 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 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

Once that coverage runs out though, a patient who relapses can be readmitted to treatment, and the expensive insurance billing cycle can begin again. — Ilan Shrira, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relapses

Noun

Follow the latest numbers, including data breakdowns by party and tallies in states with competitive Senate battlegrounds.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
For years, Pollock’s brother Sande had nursed him through alcoholism and breakdowns, but then Krasner stepped in.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of breakdowns

Verb

The decision reverts Missouri’s congressional map to what was used in 2022 and 2024 until voters approve or reject the new map in November.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
The lease limits what can be built on the site and once the agreement is complete, ownership reverts back to the Spanglers.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverts

Noun

Through schoolyard rivalries, neighborhood hustles, and family setbacks, Kev turns every disaster into a story.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Despite undergoing a blood transfusion, which briefly provided a glimpse of hope, Jackie continued to suffer setbacks in her recovery due to the sickness, which remained a mystery until Wednesday's announcement by California wildlife officials.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of setbacks

Noun

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
Historically, such rate hikes have often slowed growth and have even led to recessions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of recessions

Noun

Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Police crash scrutiny The Independence Police Department has come under scrutiny in recent years because of a history of deadly traffic crashes related to police chases.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of crashes

Noun

Here, any distinction between spa and safari collapses, and the outdoors and wellness weave together.

— Adrienne Matei, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
If drugstore brands follow prestige lines into oil-in-serum formulations, the two-step routine collapses into one.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of collapses

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Style

“Relapses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapses. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relapses

noun

verb

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