What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mongrelized
Example
The stray dog appeared to be mongrelized, with features of several different breeds. [mongrelized: adjective]
Example
The country's population is mongrelized, with a mix of different ethnicities and cultures. [mongrelized: verb]
crossbreed
Example
The farmer bred a crossbreed of two different types of chickens to create a new hybrid. [crossbreed: noun]
Example
The gardener created a new variety of flower by crossbreeding two different species. [crossbreeding: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crossbreed is a more common term than mongrelized, especially in the context of animal breeding. Mongrelized may be considered outdated or offensive in some contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mongrelized and crossbreed?
Both mongrelized and crossbreed are neutral terms that can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, mongrelized may be considered less formal due to its negative connotations in some contexts.