What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mephitic
Example
The mephitic smell of rotten eggs filled the room. [mephitic: adjective]
Example
The workers had to wear protective masks due to the mephitic fumes from the chemicals. [mephitic: adjective]
rank
Example
The rank smell of spoiled milk made me feel sick. [rank: adjective]
Example
The garbage was left to rot, emitting a rank odor that attracted flies. [rank: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rank is more commonly used than mephitic in everyday language. Rank is a more familiar term that can be used in various contexts, while mephitic is less common and has a more specialized usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mephitic and rank?
Mephitic is more formal and technical than rank, which is more colloquial and informal. Therefore, mephitic is more appropriate in scientific or technical writing, while rank is suitable for everyday language and informal writing.
