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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
  • The whale did not eat as consistently as her fellow animals, which complicated the efforts to keep her well-fed and hydrated, according to the statement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • No animals that might cause people to wonder, or to feel wonder, at their own place in the universe.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • The menu at Grand Tour skews international, but there are Italian dishes as well, with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • This makes a nice vegetarian dinner when served with a salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
    — Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of vegetarian
Noun
  • Fat One’s worked with the Universal culinary team on menu decisions and options, including a vegan dog.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Fried tofu, vegan soy slices and soy shrimp were out of proper holding temperature.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 18 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
  • One of the villain’s henchmen was a small, shaggy blue creature with a long drooping snout and a sour expression that lived in a cigar box.
    — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
  • With every whimper, sigh, howl, bark and head tilt, these dogs create an empathetic portrayal of a highly intelligent creature that has been through battle and has the scars (and nightmares) to prove it.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • After looping around the moon, the critters spent a few more days in transit for the trip home.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Anything that retains moisture is enticing to springtails, as well as other critters such as silverfish, book lice, and millepedes.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 10 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
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Cite this Entry

“Herbivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herbivore. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herbivore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbivore

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