What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quenching
Example
The blacksmith quenched the hot iron in water to harden it. [quenched: past tense]
Example
After a long hike, I quenched my thirst with a cold glass of water. [quenched: verb]
Example
The firefighters worked tirelessly to quench the raging inferno. [quench: verb]
tempering
Example
The swordsmith tempered the blade by heating it and then cooling it slowly. [tempered: past tense]
Example
She tempered her criticism with kindness to avoid hurting his feelings. [tempered: verb]
Example
He tried to temper his anger by taking deep breaths and counting to ten. [temper: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tempering is more commonly used than quenching in everyday language. Tempering has a broader range of applications and can be used in various contexts, while quenching is more specific and less commonly used outside of metallurgy.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between quenching and tempering?
Both quenching and tempering are technical terms used in the field of metallurgy and are therefore considered formal language.
