What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
congestive
Example
The patient was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. [congestive: adjective]
Example
The city's congestive traffic made it difficult to get to work on time. [congestive: adjective]
engorged
Example
The mosquito bite left my arm engorged and itchy. [engorged: adjective]
Example
The river was engorged with water after the heavy rain. [engorged: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Congestive is less common than engorged in everyday language, as it is often used in medical contexts. Engorged is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, such as describing a swollen body part or a river filled with water.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between congestive and engorged?
Congestive is more formal than engorged, as it is often used in medical or technical contexts. Engorged is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.