What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
starve
Example
The refugees were starving after days without food or water. [starving: present participle]
Example
He decided to go on a hunger strike to protest the government's policies. [starve: verb]
hunger
Example
I woke up with a gnawing hunger in my stomach. [hunger: noun]
Example
Many families in the area suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition. [hunger: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hunger is more commonly used than starve in everyday language. Hunger is a common experience and a widespread problem affecting many communities and regions, while starve is less common and often associated with extreme situations such as famine or war.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between starve and hunger?
Both starve and hunger can be used in formal and informal contexts, but starve may be more formal due to its severity and urgency.
