What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
slipback
Example
After six months of sobriety, John had a slipback and drank alcohol again. [slipback: noun]
Example
I slipped back into my old habits of procrastination and wasted the whole day. [slipped back: past tense verb]
relapse
Example
After a year of being sober, Jane experienced a relapse and started using drugs again. [relapse: noun]
Example
If you don't take your medication regularly, you may relapse and experience a worsening of your symptoms. [relapse: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relapse is more commonly used than slipback in medical and psychological contexts. Slipback is less common and more informal, often used in everyday language to describe minor setbacks or regressions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between slipback and relapse?
Relapse is more formal than slipback and is widely used in medical and psychological contexts. Slipback is less formal and more commonly used in everyday language to describe minor setbacks or regressions.
