What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reaggravation
Example
The athlete experienced a reaggravation of his knee injury during practice. [reaggravation: noun]
Example
She was disappointed to learn that her back pain had experienced a reaggravation. [reaggravation: noun]
relapse
Example
After months of sobriety, he experienced a relapse and began drinking again. [relapse: noun]
Example
She was disappointed to learn that her cancer had relapsed. [relapsed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relapse is more commonly used than reaggravation in everyday language, particularly in mental health and addiction contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reaggravation and relapse?
Both reaggravation and relapse are formal terms used in medical contexts, but relapse is also used in informal contexts, particularly in discussions of addiction and mental health.
