What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonreproductive
Example
The worker bees in the hive are nonreproductive and do not lay eggs. [nonreproductive: adjective]
Example
The male reproductive system includes the testes and penis, while the female system includes the ovaries and uterus. Other organs are nonreproductive. [nonreproductive: adjective]
Example
Masturbation is a nonreproductive sexual activity. [nonreproductive: adjective]
barren
Example
The desert is a barren landscape with little vegetation. [barren: adjective]
Example
After years of trying to conceive, the couple was devastated to learn that the woman was barren. [barren: adjective]
Example
The writer's mind was barren, and he struggled to come up with new ideas. [barren: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Barren is more commonly used than nonreproductive in everyday language, as it can be used to describe a wider range of situations. Nonreproductive is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nonreproductive and barren?
Nonreproductive is a more formal term than barren, which is more commonly used in informal contexts.
