herbivore

noun

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

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 herbivore 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 But the researchers wanted to see whether the markings on the Stegodon bones showed evidence that the hobbits were also hunting the only large-bodied herbivore on the island at the time. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 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
  • The sheriff's office's drone was used to assist in checking the approximately 28-acre property and helped identify old kennel and animal-confinement areas.
    — River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Gaspafotos/Getty Images His team selection against Forest suggests the head coach is cognizant of Tottenham’s declining effectiveness as a set-piece animal.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • This makes a nice vegetarian dinner when served with a salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
    — Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 7 Sep. 2026
  • More menu items include vegetarian samosas, pani puri shots, mango lassi and dragon chicken.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of vegetarian
Noun
  • Packed with antioxidants and vegan collagen, this Caudalie moisturizer lifts, sculpts, and firms the skin.
    — Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Because it’s made from soybeans, tofu is a popular protein source for people following vegetarian and vegan diets.
    — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 2 Sep. 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
  • More than 600 creatures are pictured, including horses, bison, deer, and aurochs, making the Lascaux caves one of the most concentrated showcases of cave art in existence.
    — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 10, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Barbara Cartland, like most successful writers, was a creature of routine.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Similarly, all types of daffodils — from demure jonquils to giant trumpet types — contain bitter, toxic properties that most critters know to avoid.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Near the end of the fourth episode of Adults season 2, a threesome between housemates is interrupted by a furry critter.
    — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Herbivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herbivore. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on herbivore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbivore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All