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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The constant connection makes recovery extremely difficult, which is why relapse is so common.—
Amanda Miller Littlejohn,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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The trial will also explore which strategies are most effective at avoiding relapse.—
Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Bangladesh says repatriation of the refugees to Myanmar is the ultimate solution, but complexities over verification and other diplomatic and political issues have made the refugees' return uncertain.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Rock Hill's annual spring festival, Come-See-Me, returns April 3-12.—
McKenzie Rankin,
Axios,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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However, the stock is now beginning to show signs of mean reversion, suggesting a potential rebound may be underway.—
Nishant Pant,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2025
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Historical data suggests caution: Rising unemployment rates and a reversion of the yield curve often precede recessions.—
Gene Goldman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The original bail reform bill Cuomo signed in 2019 touched off New York City’s regression toward the bad old days when people feared to walk the streets or ride the subways.—
Maud Maron,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
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After a decade of regression, the club could finally look forward.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That figure will rise to $1.4 trillion when exemptions for Canada and Mexico lapse in April.—
Matt Egan,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
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And this latest lapse spoiled a career night for Ziaire Williams, who finished with 22 points and a career-high six made 3s.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Atavism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atavism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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