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

Such growth is particularly important where populations are rising, as most food consumed is produced domestically. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

This is not only because of the speed at which images are consumed, but also because these visual forms carry long histories. — Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Large data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons of water per day, equivalent to the needs of a town of up to 50,000 residents, according to bipartisan nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute. — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

But the agency didn’t call it a health and safety warning, which would have advised people not to consume the product. — Christopher Osher, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2026