CARNIVOROUS Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

carnivorous

adjective

Definition of carnivorous

as in aggressive

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of carnivorous Even the kindly Florida manatee, connoisseur of bayou seagrass, sometimes flies into a carnivorous rage, snapping up fish and gnashing them in its terrible teeth. — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 This classic summer vacation spot is also home to natural gifts, including Carolina Beach State Park, with some of the area's finest fishing and the Flytrap Trail, named for the carnivorous Venus Flytrap plants along its path. — Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 Like dogs and cats, carnivorous plants can be fed and watered. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 Keepers discovered the furry, carnivorous marsupial was missing from her enclosure at Paradise Country wildlife park on Queensland's Gold Coast on Tuesday morning. — CBS News, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for carnivorous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnivorous

Adjective

And this sort of confrontation has become more common in recent years as Beijing has taken a more aggressive stance.

— Ivan Watson, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
By balancing strict fiscal management with an aggressive plan to diversify support and expand with new donors, the organization aims to ensure long-term stability while continuing to deliver high-quality artistic programming to Charlotte.

— Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Definition of aggressive

Adjective

Now, the community is about to enter what could be the final chapter in the criminal cases stemming from the state’s deadliest school shooting.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
The deadliest animal to have ever roamed the earth is not the great white shark, or snakes, or even rats that caused three great plagues in history, decimating the human population at the time.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

Firefighters in Spain admitted the fires were so fast and violent that they could not be tackled head on.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Because of his previous felonies, though none for violent crimes, Pfister could now be defined as a habitual offender under Michigan law and faces prison.

— Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Definition of violent

Adjective

Calm on the ball, Rodri is a ferocious monster off it, hoovering up second balls with his sharp anticipation and brushing opponents aside in duels with his imposing physicality.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Adult ladybugs are most known for eating aphids, but the various species are ferocious hunters of varied prey.

— Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

Some plants naturally repel squash bugs, while others attract predatory insects that feed on squash bug eggs and nymphs.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026
Lena Headey gave a wide-ranging interview with The Telegraph and opened up about her experiences in Hollywood with nudity and predatory men.

— Zack Sharf, Variety, 17 July 2026

Definition of predatory

Adjective

This video shows firefighters battling fierce flames ripping through vegetation, propelled, in part, by strong gusts of wind.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Liverpool were trailing 2-1 early in the second half when the midfielder chested the ball down just outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike past Melker Ellborg.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

Capitalism’s rapacious use of the planet has run up a tab to be paid by both future generations and the poor currently living in the Global South.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
If proteinmaxxing conjures the rapacious spirit of an HGTV makeover show, fibremaxxing is like a PBS special about restoring a Victorian home.

— Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of rapacious

Browse Nearby Words

carnivores

carnivorous

caroche

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Carnivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnivorous. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of carnivorous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on carnivorous

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kludge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes