What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inflamed
Example
The cut on my finger became inflamed and started to throb. [inflamed: adjective]
Example
The political debate became inflamed as both sides became more passionate. [inflamed: verb]
Example
The situation was inflamed by the arrival of the police. [inflamed: verb]
swollen
Example
Her ankle was swollen after she twisted it playing soccer. [swollen: adjective]
Example
The river had swollen after the heavy rain and was now overflowing its banks. [swollen: verb]
Example
I feel so swollen after eating that huge meal. [swollen: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swollen is more commonly used than inflamed in everyday language. Swollen is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while inflamed is more commonly used in medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inflamed and swollen?
Inflamed is more formal than swollen. It is typically used in medical or technical contexts, while swollen is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
