eat alive

phrase

Synonyms of eat alivenext
: to defeat, conquer, or overwhelm completely : crush
was eaten alive by the competition

Examples of eat alive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The budget laptop sector has been eaten alive by global component shortages and price rises. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eat alive was in 1800

Rhymes for eat alive

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Browse Nearby Words

eat a horse
eat alive
eat away
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Cite this Entry

“Eat alive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eat%20alive. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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