recur

verb

re·​cur ri-ˈkər How to pronounce recur (audio)
recurred; recurring
Synonyms of recur

intransitive verb

1
: to occur or appear again
the cancer recurred
a problem that keeps recurring
2
: to come again to mind
One of the staffer's comments, however, keeps recurring to me.—Kevin R. Kosar
3
: to have recourse : resort
… are no longer willing to recur to Congress to repeal unconstitutional laws …—Joe Wolverton
4
: to go back in thought or discourse
… on recurring to my letters of that date …—Thomas Jefferson

Examples of recur in a Sentence

There is only a slight chance that the disease will recur. The same problem keeps recurring.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Israeli actor Fehr recently appeared in the biblical drama House of David and currently recurs on Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 In other words, recurring revenue only works when brands continuously deliver recurring value. — Jessica Wong, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 That included a recurring role as detective Michael Shayne in a series of film noirs. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 Poor infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, has left many communities highly vulnerable to flooding, landslides, and recurring droughts, with limited capacity to respond to such disasters. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recur

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin recurrere "to run back, return, have recourse (to)," from re- re- + currere "to run" — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1512, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of recur was circa 1512

Rhymes for recur

See All Rhymes for recur

Browse Nearby Words

recuperatory
recur
recure
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recur. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

recur

verb
re·​cur ri-ˈkər How to pronounce recur (audio)
recurred; recurring
1
: to go or come back in thought or discussion
2
: to come again into the mind
3
: to occur or appear again
recurrence
-ˈkər-ən(t)s How to pronounce recur (audio)
-ˈkə-rən(t)s
noun

Medical Definition

recur

intransitive verb
re·​cur ri-ˈkər How to pronounce recur (audio)
recurred; recurring
: to occur again after an interval
a disease likely to recur

More from Merriam-Webster on recur

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for recur

Nglish: Translation of recur for Spanish Speakers

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