recidivist

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vist ri-ˈsi-də-vist How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
Synonyms of recidivistnext
: one who relapses
specifically : a habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
recidivistic
ri-ˌsi-də-ˈvi-stik How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
adjective

Examples of recidivist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This graphic novel keeps the spirit of the Blues Brothers alive; mischievous recidivists, musical outlaws who above everything, care about the Blues. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025 Electronic monitoring and house arrest are heavily weighted as options for certain recidivist offenders. — Greg Norman , Charles Creitz, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025 Yet this seemingly entirely unnecessary act of recidivist safeguarding was how Tristan da Cunha came to be populated. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 May 2025 Within the Moreton Bay area, a penal settlement for colonial recidivists was founded at Brisbane, followed by other penal establishments at Ipswich and on Stradbroke Island. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recidivist

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French récidiviste, from récidiver "to reappear (of a disease, tumor, etc.), do over, commit a second criminal offense" (going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin recidīvāre "to relapse into sin or crime") + -iste -ist entry 1 — more at recidivate

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recidivist was in 1867

Rhymes for recidivist

See All Rhymes for recidivist

Browse Nearby Words

recidivism
recidivist
recidivous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recidivist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recidivist. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

recidivist

noun
re·​cid·​i·​vist -vəst How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
: one who relapses into a previous behavior or condition
especially : a habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
recidivistic
-ˌsid-ə-ˈvis-tik How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
adjective

Legal Definition

recidivist

noun
re·​cid·​i·​vist ri-ˈsi-də-vist How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
: an habitual criminal
recidivist adjective
recidivistic
ri-ˌsi-də-ˈvis-tik How to pronounce recidivist (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on recidivist

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