insectivore

noun

Definition of insectivorenext
as in carnivore

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 insectivore 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, 18 July 2025 The lemurs and tenrecs of Madagascar, for example, are descended from primates and insectivores that used to be much more widespread. — Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 This tiny insectivore has an exceptionally fast metabolism, demanding near-constant feeding to survive. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025 Among the species declines that have led to billions fewer birds in North America over the last half-century, grassland birds and aerial insectivores have been hit especially hard, having lost many bugs that once fed them. — Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 22 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for insectivore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insectivore
  1. carnivore
  2. animal
  3. omnivore
  4. creature
  5. critter
  6. beastie
  7. varmint
  8. vermin
Noun
  • Both minks and otters are mustelids, a family of carnivores that also includes badgers, weasels, and wolverines.
    — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Chef Angie Mar made the Beatrice Inn a meat Mecca for downtown NYC carnivores.
    — Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Definition of carnivore
Noun
  • If Kenny hates animals and Whitney hates moms, what is next, someone hating s’mores?
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • This free pet pantry offers free pet food, treats and supplies for dogs, cats and other small animals.
    — Mary Eber, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • The speckled omnivores can weigh upwards of 10 pounds, largely thanks to a diet that regularly includes eggs, small animals, fruits, and vegetables.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
  • North American river otters are omnivores, feeding on fish, turtles, crabs, mollusks, birds, oysters, shellfish, crayfish, frogs, rodents and insects.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Definition of omnivore
Noun
  • Extreme corsetry, volumes, and silhouettes morphed women’s bodies into unnatural forms, some hyper-perfect, others creature-like.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • The trailer finds the film’s protagonists alternately hunting or fleeing the vicious creature — or creatures — through a tattered town known as Hope Harbor, a remote coastal village near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in South Korea.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Extreme heat, tempting open bodies of water and outdoor critters can all prove deadly.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 July 2026
  • Fish and other tiny critters get grouped together in the remaining shallow puddles.
    — Alex Harris July 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
Definition of critter
Noun
  • There be beasties beyond US Route 93, bigger than my vision could handle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
  • My bathtub seems to be a place these cute beasties like to hang out.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 May 2026
Definition of beastie
Noun
  • No air-conditioning, no insulation, its charm blunted by DIY additions, discount drywall, generations of putty and steel wool stuffed into varmint tunnels.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 June 2026
  • Moreover, the official mascots succeed in spotting various varmints — foxes and possums, to be specific, but thankfully, no vultures.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 16 June 2026
Definition of varmint
Noun
  • This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Backyard Chickens Unfortunately, the feed in chicken coops will attract vermin.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of vermin

Browse Nearby Words

insecticides
insectivore
insectivores
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insectivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insectivore. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on insectivore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about insectivore

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 obdurate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
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
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All