What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stupor
Example
After drinking too much, he fell into a stupor and couldn't remember anything the next day. [stupor: noun]
Example
The patient was in a deep stupor after the surgery. [stupor: adjective]
torpor
Example
The hot weather made him feel torpid and unmotivated. [torpid: adjective]
Example
The bear went into torpor during the winter months. [torpor: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stupor is more commonly used than torpor in medical or pathological contexts, while torpor is more commonly used in scientific or academic writing to describe animal behavior. Both words are less commonly used in everyday conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stupor and torpor?
Both stupor and torpor are more commonly used in formal writing than in everyday conversation. However, stupor is more associated with medical or pathological contexts, while torpor is more associated with scientific or academic writing.
