remission

USAGE SUMMARY

Remission is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation where a disease or condition is no longer affecting someone, or to any kind of period of rest or relief from something unpleasant. For example: After months of chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But after five years of hard labour, staying in looks like a life sentence without remission.

The Guardian - Business

It's been almost two years since I was given the all-clear and declared "in remission".

The Guardian

But we think we can allow HIV positive patients to reach a state called biologic remission, which means they can live without drugs".

The Guardian

And it focuses on the specific pathway by which Gleevec blocks the action of ATP.Gleevec successfully induces remission in some patients, but it does not work during the final stage of chronic myeloid leukaemia, which is known as a blast crisis.

The Economist

THE housing market has turned, Europe's crisis is apparently in remission and the Federal Reserve has pressed its monetary accelerator to the floor.

The Economist

One possibility is to free prisoners serving terms of five years or more after they have completed one-third of their sentence: remission in Northern Ireland now stands at half the sentence.

The Economist

So far, the results have been encouraging: at least half the 200 or so people who received the medicine showed an immune response, and many stayed in remission for longer than the two years that are typical following chemotherapy.

The Economist

On the other hand, if all of a tumour's stem cells could be killed then it would torpedo the old wisdom that no patient is ever cured of cancer, but merely goes into remission.

The Economist

What we need is better police".In the government's assessment, the cancer is already in remission.

The Economist

It was a whole year into the IRA's first ceasefire that the Tory government increased remission rates for prisoners in Ulster.Conservative backbench opinion in particular resisted any transfer to Ulster jails of those convicted of terrorist offences in English cities.

The Economist

And associated work also suggests such long-term remission may be possible for as many as 15% of those who become infected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical conditions, specify the type of remission (e.g., partial remission, complete remission) to provide clarity about the extent of disease reduction.

Common error

Avoid implying that a condition in "remission" is permanently gone. Remission indicates a decrease in symptoms or disease activity, but it doesn't always mean a complete cure. It's important to communicate the possibility of recurrence.

Linguistic Context

The noun "remission" primarily functions to denote a state of abatement or temporary cessation. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples across diverse fields. Its medical usage describes a period when disease symptoms lessen or disappear, while broader applications refer to the lessening of debts or penalties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "remission" is a versatile noun primarily denoting a lessening or abatement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its most common application lies within medical contexts, signifying a reduction in disease symptoms. However, it extends to other areas like finance and law, indicating a temporary suspension of debts or penalties. Usage spans from formal scientific papers to general news articles. Remembering that "remission" doesn't necessarily mean a complete cure is crucial, as is specifying the type of remission when discussing health. Therefore, "remission" is best defined as a temporary improvement, not a permanent solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleviation

Refers to a lessening of severity or intensity, similar to remission but applicable to a broader range of conditions beyond just diseases.

abatement

Indicates a reduction in the degree or intensity of something, often used in the context of nuisances or taxes.

subsidence

Suggests a decrease or settling down, typically used for physical phenomena but can metaphorically apply to diseases or crises.

respite

Implies a temporary period of relief or rest, similar to a temporary remission of symptoms.

hiatus

Denotes a pause or interruption in a sequence or activity, akin to a temporary cessation of a disease's activity.

lull

Suggests a temporary period of calm or quiet, often used in the context of storms or conflicts, but can metaphorically apply to diseases.

reprieve

Refers to a temporary suspension of a punishment or obligation, similar to remission in the context of debts or penalties.

moratorium

Indicates a temporary prohibition or suspension of an activity, akin to a remission of debt payments.

cessation

Denotes the complete stopping of something, which can be a more permanent form of remission.

amelioration

Implies an improvement or making something better, similar to the positive outcome of a disease going into remission.

FAQs

How is "remission" typically used in medical contexts?

In medicine, "remission" refers to a decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of a disease. It doesn't necessarily mean the disease is cured, but rather that it's in a period of reduced activity. Terms like "partial remission" or "complete remission" are used to specify the extent of the reduction.

What are some synonyms for "remission" when discussing a disease?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "alleviation", "abatement", or "subsidence" to describe a lessening of disease symptoms. However, "remission" is the most precise and widely understood term in medical settings.

Is it accurate to say someone is "cured" when their disease is in "remission"?

Not necessarily. While being in "remission" is a positive outcome, it doesn't guarantee a cure. "Remission" indicates that the disease is currently under control, but there's always a possibility of recurrence. A "cure" implies the disease is completely eradicated.

Can "remission" be used in contexts other than medical conditions?

Yes, although less common, "remission" can be used to describe a temporary lessening or suspension of something negative, such as debt or penalties. However, its primary and most recognized usage is in the context of medical diseases or conditions.