What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suffuse
Example
A sense of calm suffused her as she listened to the soothing music. [suffused: verb]
Example
The sky was suffused with a warm pink glow as the sun set. [suffused: adjective]
pervade
Example
A sense of unease pervaded the room as they waited for the test results. [pervaded: verb]
Example
The smell of freshly baked bread pervaded the bakery. [pervaded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pervade is more commonly used than suffuse in everyday language. Pervade is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while suffuse is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suffuse and pervade?
Both suffuse and pervade are formal words that are more commonly used in written language than in spoken language. However, pervade is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
