What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heal
Example
The doctor said it would take a few weeks for my ankle to heal. [heal: verb]
Example
She found comfort in writing as a way to heal from her past trauma. [heal: verb]
Example
The company worked hard to heal its reputation after the scandal. [heal: verb]
recover
Example
It took him a month to recover from the flu. [recover: verb]
Example
The police were able to recover the stolen jewelry. [recover: verb]
Example
The company was able to recover from the financial crisis and return to profitability. [recover: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recover is more commonly used than heal in everyday language. Recover is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while heal is less common and refers to a more specific process of curing or mending.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between heal and recover?
Both heal and recover are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
