What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sickly
Example
The sickly child was unable to attend school for several days. [sickly: adjective]
Example
She had a sickly complexion due to her poor health. [sickly: adjective]
nauseating
Example
The smell of the garbage was nauseating and made me feel sick. [nauseating: adjective]
Example
The roller coaster ride was so nauseating that I had to close my eyes. [nauseating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nauseating is less common than sickly in everyday language. Sickly is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while nauseating is more specific and often used in medical or descriptive contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sickly and nauseating?
Nauseating is typically associated with a more formal tone, while sickly can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
