Synonyms of ravenous

ravenous

adjective

ˈra-və-nəs 

as in greedy

having a huge appetite

we were ravenous after our canoe paddling, and the chili bubbling over the campfire smelled heavenly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• greedy
• hungry
• voracious
• starving
• gluttonous
• starved
• rapacious
• piggish
• hoggish
• swinish
• edacious
• esurient
• insatiable
• wolfish
• devouring
• unquenchable
• famished
• gobbling
• hearty
• gorging
• peckish
• malnourished
• gormandizing
• underfed
• undernourished
• gulping
• unslakable
• empty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfied
• full
• content
• stuffed
• sated
• satiated
• glutted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ravenous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ravenous are gluttonous, rapacious, and voracious. While all these words mean "excessively greedy," ravenous implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite.

a nation with a ravenous lust for territorial expansion

In what contexts can gluttonous take the place of ravenous?

The meanings of gluttonous and ravenous largely overlap; however, gluttonous applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things especially beyond the point of necessity or satiety.

an admiral who was gluttonous for glory

When might rapacious be a better fit than ravenous?

The words rapacious and ravenous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.

rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

When can voracious be used instead of ravenous?

The words voracious and ravenous can be used in similar contexts, but voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.

teenagers are often voracious eaters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ravenous

Once everyone had a turn, the tables were opened for ravenous seconds, thirds and fourths, until no crumbs were left behind. —Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025

The array of eats ranges from grab-and-go items for the ravenous after-school crowd, to couscous salad, beef wraps and falafel for lunchtime visitors, or Swedish or Turkish-style coffee and fresh-baked baklava for those seeking an afternoon pick-me-up. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025

That is especially true under Trump, a ravenous consumer of right-wing media who is attuned to the beliefs of Republicans. —Alexandra Chinchilla, Foreign Affairs, 20 Mar. 2025

While Scherzinger’s ravenous performance provides a great part of this revival’s adrenaline, the show is also jolted into new life by the collision of the spartan Lloydiverse with all the plush and purple of Lloyd Webber’s score. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025