as in relapse
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Recent Examples of atavism
Western elites believed that in the twenty-first century, cosmopolitanism and globalism would triumph over atavism and tribal loyalties.
—
Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2017
This sumptuous piece of theatrical atavism bore little resemblance to the actual events of Mozart’s life, but most nonpurist musicians happily accepted the melodramatization; quite apart from the thespian pyrotechnics, the sophisticated choice of music was a revelation.
—Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 22 Dec. 2022
Is my interest in the moon some dormant atavism from a more primitive era of human life?
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022
Early on, these doctors-cum-criminal-profilers explained bad apples through theories such as atavism.
—WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023
If learning and gentility are signs of civilization, perhaps our almost-big brains are straining against their residual atavism, struggling to expand.
—Richard Granger, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022
Obama crashed against a wall of atavism and paranoia.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 29 Jan. 2022
This gives his career an arc of atavism and abnegating tragedy, a willful artist hopelessly at the mercy of his obsessions.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2021
This was the heyday of Cesare Lombroso’s racist theories about recognizable criminal types and Max Nordau’s study Degeneration, which spread fear of atavism and perversion.
—Michael Dirda, The New York Review of Books, 28 May 2020
Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan. 2017
This sumptuous piece of theatrical atavism bore little resemblance to the actual events of Mozart’s life, but most nonpurist musicians happily accepted the melodramatization; quite apart from the thespian pyrotechnics, the sophisticated choice of music was a revelation.
—Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 22 Dec. 2022
Is my interest in the moon some dormant atavism from a more primitive era of human life?
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022
Early on, these doctors-cum-criminal-profilers explained bad apples through theories such as atavism.
—WIRED, 21 Feb. 2023
If learning and gentility are signs of civilization, perhaps our almost-big brains are straining against their residual atavism, struggling to expand.
—Richard Granger, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022
Obama crashed against a wall of atavism and paranoia.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 29 Jan. 2022
This gives his career an arc of atavism and abnegating tragedy, a willful artist hopelessly at the mercy of his obsessions.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2021
This was the heyday of Cesare Lombroso’s racist theories about recognizable criminal types and Max Nordau’s study Degeneration, which spread fear of atavism and perversion.
—Michael Dirda, The New York Review of Books, 28 May 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavism
Noun
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This suggests that cannabis could serve as a safer alternative for those looking to cut down or quit alcohol without the same risk of relapse.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The program had high relapse rates and was tainted by drug experiments on human subjects.—
Jan Hoffman,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Painful return Some hostages face a painful return.—
Hussam al-Masri,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
-
All three return with valuable Super Bowl experience, but there’s no denying the focal point of this Eagles offense is Barkley.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
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History shows that external actors make reversions to conflict much greater.—
Brandon Hoffman,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2025
-
The missed projection was the result of state reversions and unanticipated growth of services for gaining and disabled residents.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Rangers are banking on a healthy Jung, a more experienced Wyatt Langford and the additions of Jake Burger and Joc Pederson to pad their lineup and protect against any regression from other players.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
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Regardless, Gourde would have likely fetched something for Seattle general manager Ron Francis because his pedigree is valued once spring-time roles around regardless of age and stat regression.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The inspector general's findings, expected by August, will determine whether security lapses occurred and could lead to additional government action against DOGE's involvement in Treasury operations.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
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His recovery pace can save him from any lapses in concentration, too.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Does the Senate really want to put in office a secretary with zero medical training, who believes in raw milk and not in the extraordinary benefits of vaccinations, without asking him about such retrogression?—
Arthur House,
Hartford Courant,
22 Nov. 2024
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In another 5-to-4 decision, Justice O’Connor wrote an opinion that would significantly alter the initial retrogression standard established in Beer v. United States.—
Nick Corasaniti,
New York Times,
21 Nov. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near atavism
Cite this Entry
“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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