relapse

Meaning

Verb

1. (intransitive) To fall back again; to slide or turn back into a former state or practice.
2. (intransitive) To recur; to worsen, be aggravated (after a period of improvement).
3. (informal, intransitive, specifically) To return to a vice, especially self-harm or alcoholism, failing to maintain abstinence.
4. To slip or slide back physically; to turn back.

Noun

1. The act or situation of relapsing.
2. An occasion when a person becomes ill again after a period of improvement
3. (obsolete) One who has relapsed, or fallen back into error; a backslider.

Synonyms

recurrence

return

regress

regression

lapse

recidivism

backslide

relapsing

retrogression

reversion

setback

recrudescence

recur

revert

reverting

reappear

fall back

backsliding

recidivate

retrogress

worsen

lapsing

reversal

get worse

bocksliding

commit again

relaps

continuation

degenerate

depravation

deteriorate

deterioration

ebb

extend

failure

fall

fallen

frequency

go bad

increase

indulge

reassert

renewal

reoccurrence

resurfacing

retreat

revival

sin

weaken

worsening

Translations

Rückfall

rechute

recaída

ricadere

recidiva

zurückfallen

récidive

recidiva

ricaduta

recaer

υποτροπιάζω

Rezidiv

υποτροπή

retour en arrière

récidiver

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹɪˈlæps/

Etymology

From Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi (“to slide back, fall back”), from re- (“back”) + labi (“to slip, slide, fall”).