What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tread
Example
She treaded lightly on the icy sidewalk to avoid slipping. [tread: verb]
Example
The tread on his hiking boots helped him climb the steep mountain trail. [tread: noun]
crush
Example
He accidentally crushed the flower when he stepped on it. [crushed: past tense]
Example
She had a crush on her co-worker and couldn't stop thinking about him. [crush: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tread is more commonly used than crush in everyday language, especially in physical contexts. Crush is more commonly used in emotional or social contexts, such as having a crush on someone or being crushed by disappointment.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tread and crush?
Both tread and crush can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tread is generally more versatile and neutral in tone, while crush can have a more informal or slangy connotation in certain contexts.
