What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retching
Example
The smell of the garbage made him start retching. [retching: present participle]
Example
She felt like retching after eating the spoiled food. [retching: gerund]
nausea
Example
He experienced nausea after eating the spicy food. [nausea: noun]
Example
The patient complained of nausea and dizziness. [nausea: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nausea is more commonly used than retching in everyday language, as it is a broader term that covers a wider range of symptoms and situations. Retching is a more specific and less common term that refers to a more severe and unpleasant experience.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retching and nausea?
Both retching and nausea are formal terms that are commonly used in medical contexts. However, retching may be considered more informal or colloquial than nausea due to its association with a more negative and unpleasant experience.
