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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

Recidivism

noun / rih-SID-ih-viz-um / Hard
Meaning

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend; more broadly, a relapse into undesirable behaviour or failed policy outcomes

Origin / Etymology

Latin recidivus (falling back), from recidere (to fall back)

Synonyms
Relapse Reoffending Regression
Antonyms
Rehabilitation Reform Recovery
Example Sentence
"High recidivism rates in Indian prisons underscore the failure of a purely punitive approach and strengthen the case for rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform."
🎯 UPSC Usage

Use in GS2 (Governance/Social Justice) and GS4 (Ethics) answers when discussing prison reform, criminal justice, or the effectiveness of deterrence-based policies — e.g., 'Reducing recidivism requires investment in skill development and mental health support within correctional institutions.'

Relevant Subjects
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