What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hoarded
Example
She hoarded canned goods in her basement in case of an emergency. [hoarded: verb]
Example
The old man had hoarded so many newspapers that his house was filled with stacks of them. [hoarded: past tense]
stockpiled
Example
The company stockpiled medical supplies to prepare for a potential outbreak. [stockpiled: verb]
Example
The government has stockpiled weapons in case of a national emergency. [stockpiled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hoarding is more commonly used in everyday language, often in a negative context, while stockpiling is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hoarded and stockpiled?
Stockpiling is generally considered more formal than hoarding, as it is often used in technical or professional settings to describe the accumulation of resources or materials for specific purposes.