What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
monetary
Example
The company suffered a monetary loss due to the pandemic. [monetary: adjective]
Example
The government implemented new monetary policies to stabilize the economy. [monetary: adjective]
pecuniary
Example
The employee received a pecuniary reward for their outstanding performance. [pecuniary: adjective]
Example
The company faced pecuniary damages due to breach of contract. [pecuniary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Monetary is more common than pecuniary in everyday language, as it has a broader scope and can be used in various contexts. Pecuniary is more formal and specific, and is often used in legal or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between monetary and pecuniary?
Both monetary and pecuniary are formal words that are typically used in professional or legal contexts. However, pecuniary is slightly more formal and specific, and may be preferred in legal writing or formal documents.
