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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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Ankylosaurs were among the most successful herbivorous dinosaurs.
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CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
While there had been anecdotal reports of screwworm infestations in mountain tapirs, they were not previously considered a threat to the herbivorous mammals.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Additional prints found nearby might have represented a large herbivorous sauropod dinosaur called Paluxysaurus, which is the official state dinosaur of Texas.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2025
The researchers performed calcium isotope analysis on tooth enamel from three herbivorous dinosaurs, one carnivorous dinosaur, and a crocodyliform (Eutretauranosuchus).
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2025
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CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
While there had been anecdotal reports of screwworm infestations in mountain tapirs, they were not previously considered a threat to the herbivorous mammals.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Additional prints found nearby might have represented a large herbivorous sauropod dinosaur called Paluxysaurus, which is the official state dinosaur of Texas.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2025
The researchers performed calcium isotope analysis on tooth enamel from three herbivorous dinosaurs, one carnivorous dinosaur, and a crocodyliform (Eutretauranosuchus).
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 28 July 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 10 Sep. 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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