What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swelter
Example
I can't stand this sweltering heat anymore. [sweltering: adjective]
Example
The workers were sweltering in the sun all day. [sweltering: verb]
perspire
Example
I always perspire a lot when I exercise. [perspire: verb]
Example
The speaker was perspiring heavily during the presentation. [perspiring: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Perspire is more commonly used than swelter in everyday language. Perspire is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while swelter is less common and more specific to describing extreme heat.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between swelter and perspire?
Perspire is more formal than swelter, which is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.