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

Defense officials told The Times that the campaign has already consumed multiple munitions per target to ensure successful strikes, raising internal questions over the conduct of the war under Hegseth’s leadership. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Business success should improve the owner’s life, not quietly consume it. — Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026

Step into the boots of Hawks, a former Republic officer leading Zero Company on a covert operation against an emerging threat that could consume the galaxy. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Police have not confirmed whether any of the children consumed the gummies or experienced any adverse effects. — Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026