What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sequela
Example
The patient suffered from neurological sequela after recovering from COVID-19. [sequela: noun]
Example
The sequela of the car accident left him with chronic pain. [sequela: plural noun]
aftermath
Example
The aftermath of the hurricane left the town in ruins. [aftermath: noun]
Example
The country was still dealing with the aftermath of the civil war. [aftermath: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Aftermath is more commonly used than sequela in everyday language. Aftermath is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sequela is less common and is primarily used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sequela and aftermath?
Both sequela and aftermath are formal words, but sequela is more technical and specific to medical contexts.