to relapse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to relapse" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of returning to a previous state, especially regarding health or behavior, such as addiction or illness. Example: "After several months of sobriety, he was disappointed to relapse into old habits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Was he going to relapse and let Hughes dominate him?

The Guardian - Sport

Long after the addict quits, some of those brain changes remain, creating a vulnerability to relapse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Others vanquished their eating disorders as young women, only to relapse later.

The New York Times - Health

If I'm not working any of it, then yes, I'm going to relapse".

The Guardian - Music

Now he had a whole other year to relapse from his cancer and he didn't.

The New York Times - Sports

This declaration having been made, however, it turns out to be acceptable to relapse into coupledom.

The Guardian - Film

I couldn't afford to relapse into bitterness, having survived a long funk of my own.

The New Yorker

Or would other patients, too, begin to relapse?

The New York Times - Health

It is compelling to see a trim and terrific Klemke appear in the 1990s, rejuvenated about life, only to relapse.

The Guardian - Film

For one thing it explains why people continue to "relapse" long after they are physically free of a drug.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several times during the nineteen-thirties, the economy showed signs of recovery, only to relapse into recession or near recession.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about addiction recovery, use "to relapse" with sensitivity. Frame it as a potential setback, not a failure, and emphasize the importance of support and continued effort.

Common error

Avoid using "to lapse" when you specifically mean a return to a previous negative behavior or condition. "To lapse" generally means a temporary slip or error, while "to relapse" implies a more significant and sustained return to a former state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to relapse" functions as an infinitive verb phrase. It is used to describe the action of returning to a former state or condition, typically after a period of improvement or remission. Ludwig provides many examples where "to relapse" is used in the context of health, addiction, and economic downturns, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to relapse" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of returning to a previous state, especially after a period of improvement. It is frequently used in contexts related to health, addiction, and economic downturns, as highlighted by Ludwig. While synonyms like "to regress" or "to fall back" exist, "to relapse" carries a specific connotation of returning to a negative or undesirable condition. Remember to use it sensitively, especially when discussing addiction recovery, and avoid confusing it with "to lapse", which implies a more temporary slip. In conclusion, this phrase is useful in various contexts when the goal is to denote a return to a previous state, particularly one that is negative, as determined by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to regress

Focuses on returning to a less developed state or behavior.

to fall back

Emphasizes a return to a previous position or condition, often after a period of improvement.

to revert

Suggests returning to a former state or practice, sometimes by choice, sometimes not.

to recidivate

Specifically refers to repeating an undesirable behavior or habit, often in a legal context.

to backslide

Implies a moral or spiritual decline, returning to undesirable behavior.

to worsen

Indicates a decline in condition, often related to health or illness.

to deteriorate

Emphasizes a gradual decline in quality or condition.

to degenerate

Suggests a decline in moral or physical state.

to succumb

Focuses on giving way to pressure or temptation, leading to a return to a negative behavior.

to slide back

A more casual way of expressing a return to a previous, often undesirable, state.

FAQs

How is "to relapse" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "to relapse" is used to describe the act of returning to a former state, often after a period of improvement. For example, "The patient was at risk "to relapse" if they stopped taking their medication."

What are some synonyms for "to relapse"?

Alternatives to "to relapse" include "to regress", "to revert", "to backslide", or "to fall back", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when someone is described as 'likely to relapse'?

When someone is described as 'likely to relapse', it means they have a high probability of returning to a previous condition or behavior, usually one that is undesirable, such as addiction or illness.

Is there a difference between "to relapse" and "to have a relapse"?

While both phrases refer to the same concept, "to relapse" is a verb phrase describing the action, whereas "to have a relapse" uses "relapse" as a noun. Both are grammatically correct and widely used.