What does recrudescence mean?
Recrudescence means the reappearance of something that had previously subsided, been controlled, or appeared to be disappearing. It is especially used for the return of unpleasant or threatening conditions, such as disease, violence, conflict, or social problems, although it can also describe the revival of an older trend or controversy. The word often suggests persistence rather than a completely new development: the issue is old, but it has returned. In medical writing, recrudescence can refer to the recurrence of symptoms after an improvement, while in political and social contexts it describes the re-emergence of tensions or problems that seemed resolved. Compared with the more neutral recurrence, recrudescence carries a stronger implication of unwelcome persistence. It is a useful formal word for describing problems that return rather than disappear.
nounThe reappearance or recurrence of something, especially after it had declined or seemed to have been resolved. The term often conveys that the return is unwelcome or persistent.
- The reappearance or recurrence of something, especially an undesirable condition, problem, or conflict.
- The return or resurgence of a disease or other medical condition after a period of improvement or apparent recovery.
- A renewed outbreak or intensification of an earlier social, political, or cultural trend.
"The report warned of a possible recrudescence of violence in the region."
"Following the peace agreement, there was nevertheless a recrudescence of border disputes."
"The patient experienced a recrudescence of her symptoms after several weeks of improvement."
The plural is occasionally used when referring to separate recurrences or renewed outbreaks.
"The report documented recurring recrudescences of the disease."
Recrudescence is the word for trouble returning after everyone thought it was gone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recrudescence come from?
The word comes from Latin recrudescere, meaning “to grow raw again” or “to become raw,” formed with the prefix re- (“again”) and a stem related to crudus (“raw,” “uncooked,” or “unprocessed”). The term was later developed in English in the sense of a disease or condition becoming active again, and was extended to the return of troubles or troublesome developments. Its association with raw, untreated conditions contributed to its modern implication of something recurring in an unpleasant or unresolved form.
Related word forms
How recrudescence is actually used
This is a formal and somewhat literary word. It is commonly used in contexts involving the return of disease, conflict, crime, social problems, or old controversies, and its tone is generally serious or concerned.
Easily confused with recrudescence
A resurgence generally means a renewed surge in activity or popularity, whereas a recrudescence often emphasizes the return of something troubling or previously suppressed.
A recurrence is the general repetition of an event or condition, while a recrudescence more specifically suggests the return of something that had subsided and often carries a negative connotation.