herbivore

noun

Definition of herbivorenext
as in animal
an animal that only eats plants

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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 herbivore Hippos, which are herbivores, are the third-largest land animal after elephants and white rhinos and can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026 Woolly mammoths coexisted with early humans who hunted the cold-resistant herbivores for food and used their tusks and bones as tools. — CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 Invertebrates make up more than 70% of all terrestrial animal species and are important pollinators, predators and herbivores in virtually every nonmarine ecosystem. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 When growing in the prairie, rattlesnake master’s spiny leaves deter other herbivores as well as some insects. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for herbivore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herbivore
  1. animal
  2. vegetarian
  3. vegan
  4. insectivore
  5. creature
  6. critter
  7. beastie
Noun
  • Officials said a child may have come into contact with that animal.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Under the cover of night, Orwell’s pigs paint new words onto the side of the barn where the rules governing all the animals are listed.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • Cut this festive galette into little squares for a hearty appetizer, or serve sizeable wedges as a vegetarian main or standout side.
    — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Nihon University German film professor Shibuya Tetsuya, who gave an introductory lecture on German cinema, noted that the film even features a vegetarian vampire.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of vegetarian
Noun
  • The hunter-gatherer concept known for paleo bowls, nachos and its vegan queso serves bar-and-grill basics in a healthier form.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Universal Standard’s holiday collection features eight styles, spanning tailoring, fluid cupro, vegan leather and faux fur.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of vegan
Noun
  • Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Many of the bird species migrating through the Midwest are insectivores, living in the neotropics in winter to have food for survival.
    — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Definition of insectivore
Noun
  • As temperatures drop in fall, outdoor creatures like mice are frequently drawn towards the warmth and comfort of our homes.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The Magic 9, the successor to the Magic 8 Pro, looks like a triple-eyed, moss-green robo-creature designed to blend in with an overgrown, post-apocalyptic wasteland.
    — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • In less than two months, a different camera stationed not far from the southern end of the crossing picked up a plethora of critters, including a mountain lion with two older kittens and another uncollared lion.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • After all, the birds and critters that frequent your backyard might enjoy the fruit as much as you.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of critter
Noun
  • Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And when that happens, astronomers will set about studying these new beasties with other eyes on the sky to learn more about them and hopefully understand them.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of beastie

Browse Nearby Words

herbicides
herbivore
herbivores
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Cite this Entry

“Herbivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herbivore. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herbivore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbivore

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