What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infertile
Example
The infertile soil made it difficult to grow crops. [infertile: adjective]
Example
The couple struggled with infertility for years before deciding to adopt. [infertility: noun]
Example
The company's infertile work environment led to low morale and decreased productivity. [infertile: adjective]
sterile
Example
The surgical tools were sterilized before the operation. [sterilized: past participle]
Example
The couple decided to use a surrogate since the woman was sterile. [sterility: noun]
Example
The movie received criticism for its sterile plot and lack of character development. [sterile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infertile is more commonly used than sterile in everyday language, especially in the context of agriculture and reproductive health. Sterile is more commonly used in medical and scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infertile and sterile?
Both infertile and sterile are formal words that are commonly used in scientific and medical contexts. However, sterile is more commonly used in medical procedures and cleanliness, making it more formal in those contexts.
