WordGarden.iorelapse
C1Pronunciation
UK
US
- /riˈlæps/
Meanings
Noun
a return of illness, symptoms, or another serious condition after improvement
a return to alcohol or drug use after a period of sobriety or treatment
Verb
to become ill again or fall back into a harmful condition after improvement
Beyond the definition
Imagine someone recovering from an injury. They're getting better, going to physical therapy, and feeling stronger. But then they push themselves too hard, and the problem comes back. That's a relapse. It means a condition or behavior returns or gets worse after some improvement. This isn't just about health, though. You can also relapse into old habits, like biting your nails again after stopping, or falling back into unhealthy ways of arguing with someone. A relapse isn't failure; it's a setback that needs attention and renewed effort.
A relapse describes a deterioration in someone's condition after a period of improvement. It's most commonly used in the context of illness—think of someone recovering from a disease, addiction, or mental health challenge. If symptoms return or worsen after a period of remission (improvement), that's a relapse. For example: "After months of sobriety, he suffered a relapse and began drinking again."
However, "relapse" isn't limited to physical or mental health. It can also describe falling back into old behaviors or patterns. You might say someone relapsed into negative thinking after trying to stay hopeful, or that a situation relapsed into conflict after a period of peace.
The key element of a relapse is the previous improvement. It's not simply about being sick or having a bad habit; it's about experiencing a setback after making progress. Recognizing a relapse is crucial because it signals a need to reassess strategies, seek support, and redouble efforts toward recovery or positive change. It doesn't mean all hope is lost—it's often a temporary step back on the path toward long-term well-being.
Examples
- 1
Addiction recovery
After nearly a year without alcohol, he had a relapse over the holidays.
- 2
Old habit
She was afraid she might relapse into smoking when the exams began.
- Patternrelapse into + old habit
return to it after stopping
- 3
Medical condition
The treatment worked at first, but the cancer relapsed a few months later.
- 4
Organizational habits
Without strong leadership, the company soon relapsed into its old habits.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- slip
- flare-up
- recrudescence
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- relapse prevention
- suffer a relapse
- relapse into addiction
- risk of relapse
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- relapsenounverb
Forms
- relapsedpast tenseverbnoun
- relapsing-ing formverbnoun
- relapsespluralnounverb