relapse

American  

[ri-laps, ri-laps, ree-laps] / rɪˈlæps, rɪˈlæps, ˈri læps /

verb (used without object)

relapsed, relapsing

1. to fall or slip back into a former state, practice, etc..

   to relapse into silence.

2. to fall back into illness after convalescence or apparent recovery.

3. to fall back into vice, wrongdoing, or error; backslide.

   to relapse into heresy.

   Synonyms:

   lapse, revert, regress

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noun

1. an act or instance of relapsing.

2. a return of a disease or illness after partial recovery from it.

relapse British  

verb

1. to lapse back into a former state or condition, esp one involving bad habits

2. to become ill again after apparent recovery

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noun

1. the act or an instance of relapsing

2. the return of ill health after an apparent or partial recovery

Other Word Forms

• relapsable adjective
• relapser noun
• unrelapsing adjective

Etymology

Origin of relapse

First recorded in 1400–50; (for the verb) late Middle English, from Latin relāpsus “slid back,” past participle of relābī “to slide back, revert,” from re- re- + lābī “to fall, slide, make a mistake”; noun derivative of the verb

Example Sentences

But believing that Citigroup is ripe for another relapse undersells how much has changed at the bank—and around it.

From The Wall Street Journal

Wilson says it's important to accept relapse as part of the process - it doesn't mean you've failed as persistence matters more than perfection.

From BBC

“As many of you know I recently went through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a relapse of another five weeks,” Manilow wrote in the statement.

From Los Angeles Times

“There is always the risk of relapse. That can be hard to process,” Greg said.

From Los Angeles Times

But in 2017 she relapsed, with Ms Tucker saying at this stage the tumour "eventually took over".

From BBC

Related Words

• recidivism
• recurrence
• regression
• worsening