relapse
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for relapse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To fall back into a former, usually worse, state after a period of improvement.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use relapse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin relabi, "to slide back," from re- ("back") plus labi ("to slip or slide").
Full origin of relapse →Frequently asked questions
What does “relapse” mean?
The word “relapse” means to fall back into a former, usually worse, state after a period of improvement. In plain terms, to slip back into a bad state (illness, addiction, old habits) after getting better.
How do you pronounce “relapse”?
“Relapse” is pronounced rih-LAPS (/ɹɪˈlæps/ in IPA).
How do you use “relapse” in a sentence?
Here is “relapse” used in a sentence: “He relapsed into old habits within weeks of quitting.”
What part of speech is “relapse”?
Depending on how it is used, “relapse” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “relapse” come from?
The word “relapse” comes from Latin. From Latin relabi, "to slide back," from re- ("back") plus labi ("to slip or slide").
Is “relapse” a common word?
“Relapse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “relapse” have?
“Relapse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fall back into a former, usually worse, state after a period of improvement.