noun
- a return to a former or worse state after a period of improvement
Usage: often used in medical contexts
verb
- to return to a former or worse state after a period of improvement
Examples
- The patient suffered a relapse and had to return to the hospital.
- After months of sobriety, he experienced a relapse into alcoholism.
- Her depression went into remission, but she feared a relapse.
- The country’s economy began to relapse into recession.
- Without proper treatment, many patients relapse within a year.
- The team’s performance started to relapse after their coach left.
- She worked hard to prevent a relapse of her eating disorder.