as in relapse
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Recent Examples of atavism
Millet plays with the title and with the idea of atavism, in which an ancient trait asserts itself by skipping forward a few generations to suddenly appear in the gene pool.
—
Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
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
Heather Scott Partington, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atavism
Noun
-
Some patients experience dramatic relapses, others a slow and steady decline.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Following his first two relapses at HealthRight’s detox facility, he was transferred to a men’s residential treatment building, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The fourth season will again time jump to open nearly two years after the events of season three and, along with news of the return date, the Apple TV+ drama has released a handful of first-look photos to tease both the new and returning cast.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2025
-
Their accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and willfully filing false tax returns.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
The result for Minnesota was a reversion to its harassing, hit-first defense.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 May 2025
-
Even if asking for rights reversion becomes more prevalent, that perk would likely be reserved for the most exceptional filmmakers.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In this state, crucial questions regarding how Black brands will navigate such economic instability, and social regression are of the utmost importance, according to Beckham.—
Julian Randall,
Essence,
20 May 2025
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Later regressions often coincide with major developmental milestones—like crawling, standing, or understanding object permanence—as well as discomfort from teething.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
The Post has used child autopsy reports historically to cover the lapses in our child welfare systems that can result in child deaths.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
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In the immediate wake of the escape, the sheriff's office identified several lapses at the facility.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Visa retrogression might become more of an issue for Indian and Chinese applicants who invest under the high-unemployment category due to its more limited availability.—
Sam Silverman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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