Definition of voraciousnext

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of voracious are gluttonous, rapacious, and ravenous. While all these words mean "excessively greedy," voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.

teenagers are often voracious eaters

When could gluttonous be used to replace voracious?

In some situations, the words gluttonous and voracious are roughly equivalent. 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 can rapacious be used instead of voracious?

While the synonyms rapacious and voracious are close in meaning, rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.

rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

When might ravenous be a better fit than voracious?

While in some cases nearly identical to voracious, 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

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 voracious The advent of artificial intelligence, with its voracious demand for computing power, puts Lumen in a sweet spot. Justin Zacks, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026 Particularly hard hit is America’s staple crop, corn, due to its voracious appetite for nitrogen. E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 Over the last four months, Ponto has been a voracious voice on social media, frequently commenting on Facebook posts related to the mayoral race and replying to resident comments. Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Bombshell reporting by none other than the Daily Mail revealed that Bryon Noem harbors a voracious appetite for the voluptuous things in life. Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for voracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
Adjective
  • That disloyal, greedy kid at the center of college football’s first apparent holdout?
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
  • That's the part worth hammering, not that Nike is greedy or calculating.
    Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Appearing with her family at major events in the royal calendar, such as Easter and Christmas masses, Trooping the Color and the Princess of Wales' Christmas concert, the avid sports fan, occasionally slips into the stands at the Wimbledon and other events.
    Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 2 May 2026
  • Qualcomm co-founder Jacobs, an avid jazz and classical music fan, gave the festival a three-year donation of nearly $400,000 in seed money in 2024.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • In the beginning was a ravenous pink elephant laying claim to its mother’s life and body.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The storm has brought with it a school of bull sharks, who are smaller and faster than great whites, but just as ravenous.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Verdier says the increasing regulation in the car industry and the push to move away from fossil fuels are part of the reason why Ferrari is so enthusiastic about this project.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
  • Skaters ages 6-11 showed off their nose grinds, kickflips and wall rides to an enthusiastic early crowd.
    Tony Le Calvez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Japan confirmed Friday the first fatal bear attack of 2026 after a record 13 deaths last year, with reports pointing to a jump in sightings as the animals emerge hungry from hibernation.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 May 2026
  • Growing offspring will nurse when hungry, play like puppies and nap in the shade of the old oak trees.
    Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • There have been attempts to cast a Real Housewives in Chicago and Napa, and Cohen was particularly excited about a version in Boca Raton, FL.
    Peter White, Deadline, 4 May 2026
  • People are really excited about it.
    Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Trump had used the act to plaster taxes on imports with eager abandon.
    Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Kay isn’t some kind of unhinged chaos agent or emotional thrill-seeker (well, maybe just a little), but rather an adventurous artist eager to dig deep beneath the surface.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Kennedy, who has no background in science, medicine, or public health, is well known as an ardent anti-vaccine activist and peddler of conspiracy theories.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • This is a lovely film that will appeal to Bernstein’s most ardent fans, while warmly inviting neophytes into his world.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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