What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suffuse
Example
The sky was suffused with a warm orange glow as the sun set. [suffused: verb]
Example
A sense of calm suffused the room as everyone took deep breaths. [suffused: past participle]
infuse
Example
I like to infuse my water with lemon and mint for a refreshing taste. [infuse: verb]
Example
The new CEO hoped to infuse the company with fresh ideas and energy. [infuse: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infuse is more commonly used than suffuse in everyday language, especially in the context of food and drink. Suffuse is less common and has a more poetic or artistic connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suffuse and infuse?
Both suffuse and infuse are relatively formal words and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, infuse may be more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while suffuse is more likely to be used in formal or literary contexts.