What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
censorious
Example
She is known for her censorious nature, always pointing out flaws in others. [censorious: adjective]
Example
His censorious remarks about his colleague's work created a tense atmosphere. [censorious: adjective]
captious
Example
He has a captious personality, always finding something to complain about. [captious: adjective]
Example
Her captious comments during the meeting derailed the discussion. [captious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Censorious is less common and more formal than captious. Censorious is often found in literature or formal discussions, while captious is used more casually in everyday conversations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between censorious and captious?
Censorious is considered more formal and is typically used in formal writing or serious discussions. On the other hand, captious is less formal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.