Synonyms of ravenous

ravenous

adjective

ˈra-və-nəs 

as in greedy

having a huge appetite

we were ravenous after our canoe paddling, and the chili bubbling over the campfire smelled heavenly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• greedy
• hungry
• voracious
• starving
• gluttonous
• starved
• rapacious
• piggish
• hoggish
• swinish
• edacious
• esurient
• insatiable
• wolfish
• devouring
• unquenchable
• famished
• gobbling
• hearty
• gorging
• peckish
• malnourished
• gormandizing
• underfed
• undernourished
• gulping
• unslakable
• empty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfied
• full
• content
• stuffed
• sated
• satiated
• glutted

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ravenous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ravenous are gluttonous, rapacious, and voracious. While all these words mean "excessively greedy," ravenous implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite.

a nation with a ravenous lust for territorial expansion

In what contexts can gluttonous take the place of ravenous?

The meanings of gluttonous and ravenous largely overlap; however, gluttonous applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things especially beyond the point of necessity or satiety.

an admiral who was gluttonous for glory

When might rapacious be a better fit than ravenous?

The words rapacious and ravenous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.

rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

When can voracious be used instead of ravenous?

The words voracious and ravenous can be used in similar contexts, but voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.

teenagers are often voracious eaters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ravenous

While Scherzinger’s ravenous performance provides a great part of this revival’s adrenaline, the show is also jolted into new life by the collision of the spartan Lloydiverse with all the plush and purple of Lloyd Webber’s score. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025

By comparing Chandra's observations with the JWST's measurements of hydrogen ionization, the researchers found that galaxies with the most ravenous black holes show the lowest star formation rates. —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2025

Poles needs to find difference-makers, nasty offensive linemen, game-wrecking defensive linemen, ravenous pass rushers … again, the Bears have a lot of needs. —Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Nonnative invasive species and ravenous deer are killing the nearby trees that are necessary to feed and provide homes for future generations of beavers. —Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025