relapse

[ri-laps, ri-laps, ree-laps]

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

noun

1. an act or instance of relapsing.

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

relapse

verb

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

2. to become ill again after apparent recovery

noun

1. the act or an instance of relapsing

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

Other Word Forms

• relapser noun
• relapsable adjective
• unrelapsing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relapse¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of relapse¹

C16: from Latin relabī to slip back, from _re- + labī to slip, slide

Example Sentences

“She relapsed over seven times, died twice, Narcan twice, and she’s nine-plus years sober now,” Kitsch says.

From Los Angeles Times

Williams had privately struggled with addiction to ketamine and had recently relapsed after years of sobriety.

From BBC

He credits the hub with helping him avoid relapse, and reducing his need for hospital care.

From BBC

It was an ode to my mother and my wife, just telling them that I wasn’t giving up every time I relapsed.

From Los Angeles Times

She asked if someone who came off universal credit as their illness subsided but then had a relapse and needed the benefit would be awarded a lower rate compared to what they had previously received.

From BBC

Related Words

• recidivism 
• recurrence 
• regression 
• worsening www.thesaurus.com