hunger

noun

ˈhəŋ-gər How to pronounce hunger (audio)
Definition of hungernext
1
as in appetite
a need or desire for food no degree of hunger would induce me to eat octopus

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thirst
a strong wish for something a lonely girl with a desperate hunger for love

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in enthusiasm
urgent desire or interest reads everything he can find on airplanes with a seemingly insatiable hunger

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 hunger This process allows fiber to play a crucial role in regulating the body's use of sugar, helping control hunger and maintain stable blood sugar levels. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 13 July 2026 Yes, Erik Spoelstra assistant Wayne Ellington is pushing for victory, but at this time of the year that can be secondary to individual hunger. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2026 There is a growing hunger for travel that provides connection and reflection. — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 This can promote fullness, reduce hunger and cravings, and provide your body with a more consistent source of energy throughout the day, Moskovitz says. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hunger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hunger
  1. appetite
  2. thirst
  3. enthusiasm
  4. starvation
  5. craving
  6. stomach
  7. desire
  8. longing
Noun
  • When a pet chews on one of these plants, the crystals irritate the mouth and cause pain, drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
  • When a pet chews on them, the crystals irritate the mouth, causing pain, drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite, according to the ASPCA.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of appetite
Noun
  • Independent filmmakers don’t have enough money to create thirst from ads.
    — Daren Smith, IndieWire, 8 July 2026
  • Kombucha fans can quench their thirst at the Farmacy on Main’s unique kombucha bar.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 July 2026
Definition of thirst
Noun
  • For all the enthusiasm around Telemundo, its World Cup broadcasts aren’t without critics.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • DeepSeek could reportedly file for an IPO as soon as this year, joining its rivals in capitalizing on investor enthusiasm for low-cost Chinese AI.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • Their starvation reached new heights, and the men ultimately broke their promise to Odysseus and killed one of Apollo’s cattle.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • Improved monitoring and evidence, including evidence of atrocities and the use of starvation as a weapon, need to be supported if there is to be effective assistance and accountability.
    — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of starvation
Noun
  • Guests can also satisfy their sushi cravings at Miso Phat, located beside Kihei Caffe.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • From gorgeous cakes to fruity popsicles, these blueberry dessert recipes will satisfy your sweet cravings.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Definition of craving
Noun
  • Plus there are treatments that feel like something from a 19th-century novel, such as salt baths, warm compresses on the liver area, or thrice-weekly stomach massages that are all supposed to promote cleansing and regeneration.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026
  • Cases of stomach illness caused by the cyclospora parasite are rising rapidly in Florida.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Definition of stomach
Noun
  • Cary, torn between his own desires and others’ expectations, can’t seem to determine where his loyalties lie.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in the 80-minute one-act play, which won Escola a Tony Award.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
Definition of desire
Noun
  • History has shown us that the very celebration of our shared longing for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ensures that those values will endure.
    — Lonnie G. Bunch III, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • But what Spiro is writing about in most of these tunes is something a little more interesting than standard loss-and-longing fare.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 July 2026
Definition of longing

Phrases Containing hunger

Browse Nearby Words

hung back
hunger
hungered (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Hunger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hunger. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hunger

Nglish: Translation of hunger for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hunger

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