What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
steep
Example
I like to steep my tea for at least five minutes to get a stronger flavor. [steep: verb]
Example
The trail was too steep for me to climb without taking a break. [steep: adjective]
Example
The company is facing a steep decline in sales due to the pandemic. [steep: adjective]
macerate
Example
The recipe calls for macerating the strawberries in sugar before adding them to the cake batter. [macerate: verb]
Example
The doctor recommended macerating the wound to help it heal faster. [macerating: gerund or present participle]
Example
The chef macerated the lamb in red wine for several hours before cooking it. [macerated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Steep is more commonly used in everyday language, while macerate is a more technical term used mainly in cooking or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between steep and macerate?
Macerate is a more formal term than steep, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
