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Many herbivorous animals, such as rabbits, deer, sheep, and cows, are noted for their gentle and passive ways. But such behavior is not universal among herbivores. Rhinoceroses and elephants, for instance, are capable of inflicting serious damage if threatened, and among dinosaurs, the herbivorous Diplodocus had a thick tail that could be used as a lethal weapon against attacking carnivores. Herbivorous humans are usually called vegetarians.
Examples of herbivorous in a Sentence
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Buffalo Versus Bison Buffalo and bison are both large, herbivorous mammals, often confused due to their similar appearances.
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The large, herbivorous mammals, which can grow to more than 13 feet long and weigh up to 3,500 pounds, can be deceptively fast in short bursts with a flick of the tail.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
In coral reefs, for example, the presence of sharks alters how and where herbivorous fish feed, which in turn affects seaweed growth and habitat structure.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
If necessary, the herbivorous reptiles may have been able to feed on their floating vegetation mats, McGuire said.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The large, herbivorous mammals, which can grow to more than 13 feet long and weigh up to 3,500 pounds, can be deceptively fast in short bursts with a flick of the tail.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
In coral reefs, for example, the presence of sharks alters how and where herbivorous fish feed, which in turn affects seaweed growth and habitat structure.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
If necessary, the herbivorous reptiles may have been able to feed on their floating vegetation mats, McGuire said.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for herbivorous
Cite this Entry
“Herbivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbivorous. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
herbivorous
adjective
her·biv·o·rous
ˌ(h)ər-ˈbiv-ə-rəs 
: eating or living on plants
Medical Definition
herbivorous
adjective
her·biv·o·rous
ˌ(h)ər-ˈbiv-ə-rəs
1
: feeding on plants
herbivorous mammals
2
: having a stout body and a long small intestine : endomorphic
herbivorously
adverb
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