What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
noxious
Example
The noxious fumes from the factory were making people sick. [noxious: adjective]
Example
The noxious behavior of the bullies made the students feel unsafe. [noxious: adjective]
toxic
Example
The toxic chemicals in the water supply were causing health problems for the residents. [toxic: adjective]
Example
The toxic relationship between the couple was causing them both a lot of stress. [toxic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Toxic is more commonly used than noxious in everyday language. Toxic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while noxious is less common and more likely to be used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between noxious and toxic?
Noxious is more likely to be used in formal or technical contexts, while toxic is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
