Synonyms of devour

devour

verb

di-ˈvau̇(-ə)r 

1

as in to consume

to destroy all trace of

a series of devastating storms devoured the beach on the south side of the island

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consume
• ruin
• demolish
• eat (up)
• devastate
• eradicate
• wreck
• drain
• shatter
• deplete
• extinguish
• spend
• expend
• obliterate
• exhaust
• use up
• gut
• annihilate
• exterminate
• desolate
• smash
• decimate
• wipe out
• waste
• extirpate
• remove
• pulverize
• tear down
• raze
• stamp (out)
• blot out
• do in
• rub out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protect
• save
• preserve
• build
• raise
• construct
• conserve
• put up
• erect

2

as in to spend

to make complete use of

a catastrophic medical event that devoured their savings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• consume
• spend
• drain
• exhaust
• absorb
• eat
• burn
• reduce
• use
• deplete
• expend
• use up
• play out
• draw down
• run out of
• empty
• decrease
• waste
• diminish
• weaken
• downsize
• dwindle
• undermine
• impoverish
• clean (out)
• lessen
• bankrupt
• abate
• cripple
• debilitate
• guzzle
• enfeeble
• sap
• blow
• disable
• dry up
• squander
• dissipate
• throw away
• lower
• lavish
• de-escalate
• run through
• misspend
• fritter (away)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• replace
• increase
• renew
• augment
• enforce
• enlarge
• strengthen
• reinforce
• restore
• preserve
• save
• rebuild
• revive
• repair
• bolster
• conserve
• fortify

3

as in to inhale

to swallow or eat greedily

the starving villagers simply devoured the relief food

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inhale
• gulp
• cram
• scoff
• gobble
• wolf
• scarf
• gorge
• glut
• raven
• slop
• gormandize
• ingurgitate
• bolt
• overeat
• swill
• pig out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pick
• nibble
• peck

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of devour

Even fussy kids were devouring their slices and were largely eating their crusts. — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

Only weeks ago, the most destructive wildfire in Spanish history devoured 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people in central Spain. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Only weeks ago, the most destructive wildfire in Spanish history devoured 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people in Ávila, in central Spain. — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Behind Brighton, the other two most devoured by the ‘Big Six’ in the past decade are Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026