What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incurable
Example
Unfortunately, his cancer is incurable. [incurable: adjective]
Example
She has an incurable addiction to smoking. [incurable: adjective]
terminal
Example
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a few months to live. [terminal: adjective]
Example
The company's financial situation had reached a terminal stage, and there was no hope for recovery. [terminal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Terminal is more commonly used than incurable in everyday language, especially in non-medical contexts. Terminal is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of situations, while incurable is more specific to medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incurable and terminal?
Both incurable and terminal are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as medical or legal settings.
