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

Of the men who were part of the original study's AAS-using cohort, 35 were still taking the drugs, while the remaining participants were in varying stages of quitting, long-term abstinence and relapse. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 Numerous investigations have documented how patients can become trapped in a revolving door of treatment, relapse and reenrollment, with each relapse putting them at risk of overdose and death. — Ilan Shrira, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 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

Verb

Rollback plans should account for data changes and financial transactions; reverting application code alone may not reverse a financial consequence.

— Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of revert

Noun

The breakdown Organic revenues for Prada Group — parent company to Prada, Church’s, Miu Miu, and Versace — rose 1% year-on-year on a constant currency basis in the third quarter of 2026.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Somewhere, there was a breakdown in communication on Wednesday following the firing of Locksley.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of breakdown

Verb

In 2014, he was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, though that status has since lapsed, the department said.

— Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
This is a serious, serious issue because lapsing Starshield in that manner costs human lives.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of lapse

Noun

Other potential launch providers, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin, are both working through setbacks with their launch vehicles.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
As last week’s red flag warning took effect, the reservoir remained out of service after a series of setbacks during repairs.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of setback

Noun

That’s 35% of the value of the S&P 500 and the highest concentration in a handful of stocks since just before the crash of 1929.

— Ming Lu, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The California Highway Patrol on Wednesday afternoon was investigating a fatal crash on County Road 102 in Yolo County.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of crash

Browse Nearby Words

relaid

relapse

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Relapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relapse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of relapse

noun

verb

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