CONSUME Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

consume

verb

kən-ˈsüm

Definition of consume

as in to devour

to destroy all trace of massive fires had consumed hundreds of square miles of forest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to spend

to make complete use of the mining company consumed all of the local mineral resources and then moved on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to eat

to take in as food hungry enough to consume most of the pie

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of consume Check their website before consuming fish caught from the rivers. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026 Small appliances like desktop computers, monitors, printers, and accessories consume steady electricity throughout the day and night even when not actively in use. — Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 At this point, the relationship begins to consume your identity. — Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026 As generalist predators, mantids consume a variety of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and moths. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for consume

Recent Examples of Synonyms for consume

Verb

Political theory students still study their practical wisdom, often after devouring centuries of more speculative and theoretical texts.

— Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
If Spam isn’t your thing — how dare you — locals just as eagerly devour katsubi (a chicken katsu musubi), egg musubi or even, yes, hot dog musubi.

— USA Today, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of devour

Verb

However, Morehouse, who has spent more than a decade campaigning for the return of American children abducted to Japan, doubts the amendment to Japan’s Civil Code will bring significant change.

— Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
Berman, who spent 13 years as the NHL’s deputy general counsel and VP of community development, helped the league provide a grant for that program.

— PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

Don't forget to check the social media accounts of your local favorite eating spots for more deals.

— Mike Snider, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Many kinds of fly larvae eat dead or decaying tissue and may sometimes end up on meat, but New World screwworm larvae need living tissue to survive and develop.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of eat

Verb

However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

— Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
But Neill doesn’t lean into the crotchety loner stereotype that could have ruined the entire film, finding a core of relatable decency in this outsider that instead holds the whole effort together with an honest humanity reflected in his choices.

— Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

Conwell drained a three on his first shot but then missed six in a row, before hitting another three late in the third quarter.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
The promotion dropped on Monday, June 29 and almost immediately, the original $150,000 budget allocated to the promotion was drained —covering some 25,000 pulls.

— Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

West Harbor is the redevelopment of the former waterfront Ports O'Call Village, which was demolished in 2018.

— Julie Sharp, CBS News, 14 July 2026
The two-acre space was the site of the California State Building, which suffered systemic damage in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake and was demolished five years later.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of demolish

Verb

About half of Florida's 242 death row inmates have exhausted their appeals and could see their death warrant issued at any time.

— CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Norton was deeply moved by audience members who spoke to him after, but he was also exhausted by the emotional and physical strain of the show.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026

Definition of exhaust

Browse Nearby Words

consumable

consume

consumed

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Style

“Consume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/consume. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of consume

verb

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