atavism

Definitions

The reappearance in an individual of characteristics of some remote ancestor that have been absent in intervening generations.

A reversion to an earlier type or a return to ancestral behavior or traits.

Examples

His sudden outburst of rage felt like a strange atavism, reminiscent of his grandfather's legendary temper.

The architect argued that the building's brutalist design was a deliberate atavism, intended to evoke the raw strength of ancient stone fortresses.

Synonyms

reversion throwback regression recurrence primitivism reappearance of ancestral traits

Antonyms

advancement evolution progression development modernization innovation