What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sagging
Example
The old mattress was sagging in the middle. [sagging: verb]
Example
The team's morale was sagging after losing three games in a row. [sagging: adjective]
sinking
Example
The ship was sinking slowly into the ocean. [sinking: verb]
Example
The sun was sinking below the horizon, signaling the end of the day. [sinking: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sinking is more commonly used than sagging in everyday language. Sinking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sagging is less common and more specific to physical objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sagging and sinking?
Both sagging and sinking are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation. However, sinking may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of contexts.