What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fumigated
Example
The hotel room was fumigated to get rid of bed bugs. [fumigated: past tense]
Example
The laboratory was fumigated to eliminate any potential contamination. [fumigated: past participle]
sterilized
Example
The surgical tools were sterilized before the operation. [sterilized: past tense]
Example
The baby bottles were sterilized to ensure they were safe for use. [sterilized: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sterilized is more commonly used than fumigated in everyday language. Sterilized is a term that is widely used in medical and non-medical contexts, while fumigated is less common and is mostly used in the context of pest control.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between fumigated and sterilized?
Sterilized is generally considered a more formal term than fumigated. Sterilized is often used in medical or scientific contexts, while fumigated is more commonly used in casual or informal contexts.
