recidivism
noun
re·cid·i·vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm 
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior
especially : relapse into criminal behavior
Did you know?
The re- in recidivism is the same re- in relapse and return, and like those words recidivism is about going back: it’s a tendency to relapse, especially into criminal behavior. Recidivism is a 19th century French borrowing that’s ultimately from a Latin word meaning “to relapse into sin or crime.” In borrowing recidivism, English was itself engaging in a kind of recidivism: the same Latin source of recidivism had been nabbed in the 16th century to form the much less common recidivate, meaning “to fall into or exhibit recidivism.”
Examples of recidivism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nutter later rescinded Philadelphia’s sanctuary city status in an effort to dissuade congressional Republicans from passing a House bill that would deny sanctuary cities federal money earmarked for law enforcement and recidivism reduction. —
Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026 Participants can increase their employment opportunities after they are released while recidivism is reduced from 75% to 15%. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 Last year, lawmakers coalesced around the need to improve rehabilitation programming and reduce recidivism rates as part of a broader investment in South Dakota’s prison system. —Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 24 Mar. 2026 In the 2019-20 year, the most recent recidivism statistics available from CDCR, 221 people were granted elderly parole. —Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recidivism
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Menika Dirkson, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026 Participants can increase their employment opportunities after they are released while recidivism is reduced from 75% to 15%. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 Last year, lawmakers coalesced around the need to improve rehabilitation programming and reduce recidivism rates as part of a broader investment in South Dakota’s prison system. —Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 24 Mar. 2026 In the 2019-20 year, the most recent recidivism statistics available from CDCR, 221 people were granted elderly parole. —Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recidivism
Cite this Entry
“Recidivism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/recidivism. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recidivism
noun
re·cid·i·vism ri-ˈsid-ə-ˌviz-əm
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior
high recidivism rates after cessation of smoking—A. E. Kazdin et al.
A. E. Kazdin et al.
Legal Definition
recidivism
noun
re·cid·i·vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm
: relapse into criminal behavior
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
