Synonyms of consume

consume

verb

kən-ˈsüm 

1

as in to devour

to destroy all trace of

massive fires had consumed hundreds of square miles of forest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devour
• eat (up)
• ruin
• demolish
• drain
• eradicate
• devastate
• deplete
• wreck
• spend
• extinguish
• expend
• shatter
• exhaust
• use up
• waste
• gut
• obliterate
• exterminate
• desolate
• wipe out
• remove
• annihilate
• smash
• decimate
• tear down
• extirpate
• pulverize
• stamp (out)
• blot out
• raze
• do in
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• save
• preserve
• build
• conserve
• raise
• construct
• put up
• erect

2

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

• spend
• drain
• exhaust
• absorb
• burn
• eat
• reduce
• use
• deplete
• devour
• expend
• use up
• play out
• draw down
• run out of
• decrease
• waste
• empty
• diminish
• weaken
• downsize
• dwindle
• lessen
• clean (out)
• undermine
• impoverish
• abate
• guzzle
• bankrupt
• debilitate
• cripple
• sap
• disable
• squander
• dry up
• dissipate
• blow
• enfeeble
• lower
• throw away
• lavish
• de-escalate
• run through
• misspend
• fritter (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• replace
• increase
• renew
• enforce
• augment
• enlarge
• reinforce
• strengthen
• restore
• preserve
• save
• rebuild
• conserve
• repair
• revive
• bolster
• fortify

3

as in to eat

to take in as food

hungry enough to consume most of the pie

Synonyms & Similar Words

• eat
• devour
• ingest
• chew
• partake (of)
• lick
• swallow
• put away
• tuck (away or in)
• digest
• put down
• taste
• mouth (down)
• pick (at)
• relish
• savor
• gulp
• scoff
• wolf
• gobble (up or down)
• dine
• swill
• nibble (on)
• gnaw (at or on)
• munch
• chow (down on)
• breakfast
• gorge
• slop
• gum
• snack
• feast
• glut (on)
• down
• fare
• regale
• snarf (down)
• sup
• lap
• lunch
• banquet
• polish off
• dispatch
• bolt
• pig out
• gormandize
• nurse
• nosh

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of consume

The agency said the boys were not wearing seat belts and had alcohol in the car, but refused to release more details to the Miami Herald, including whether either teen had consumed alcohol. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Tannins are natural organic compounds that are harmless to consume but can turn the water yellow. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Experts recommend gradually increasing intake and taking food safety precautions before consuming unconventional parts of produce. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Most of the helicopter was consumed by fire after the crash, so no meaningful data could be gleaned from the majority of the cockpit gauges, according to the report. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026