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 voracious adult caterpillar does most of the damage and will eat both leaves and fruit. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 As a voracious reader, few places are as sacred to me as in bed at night with my book light and my book and a good bookmark is also a must-have. Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The appetite for larger compounds has become so voracious that Chad Carroll of Compass says requests for them have become a regular part of his business. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2026 Away from the pitch, Schlager is a voracious reader and has an inquisitive mind. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for voracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
Adjective
  • However, the process doesn’t erase the optics, which are as underhanded and greedy as ever.
    Tyrone E. Keys Jr, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026
  • If enough people are angry at the greedy capitalists and find a rationale to blame them for their woes, the idea of socialism becomes more attractive.
    Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The Barnes & Noble on Cobb Parkway is closing its doors after decades of serving the community's avid readers.
    Nakell Williams, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The mats from Oh My Mahjong are a favorite among avid players thanks to their thick yet flexible neoprene construction and beautiful designs, like this one featuring herons and florals in pretty shades of blush, sage, and blue.
    Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • This franchise has proven the ability to spin anything — to keep ravenous fans on the line under any circumstance.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • As competitors down dogs for ten straight minutes with a ravenous efficiency that feels worlds apart from snacking on a frank at the ballpark, eating escalates into an élite physical spectacle nearing performance art.
    Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • The response within Meta was anything but enthusiastic, however.
    Joshua Hong, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Ron pulls off the speech and gets an enthusiastic round of applause.
    Barry Levitt, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Why are people so hungry for a bratty, sarcastic version of Abigail Williams?
    Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Fertilizing Too Little Using not enough fertilizer is a poor lawn care practice that can leave the lawn hungry and lean, says Walts.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • But the person most excited to play catch with his father, Ron, was Twins manager Derek Shelton, who wasn’t sure his arm would be capable after throwing Buxton batting practice Monday.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Even still, the filmmaker is excited to let Edinburgh audiences begin probing this surprisingly affecting piece on loss and extraterrestrial life.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Penguin Random House, largest seller of books, and most eager to sell them best, testified in court that the sales of only 4 percent of its books effectively subsidized the rest.
    M. C. Mah, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The race has already inflamed tensions within the Democratic Party over how to energize liberal voters eager for unapologetic, combative candidates while not alienating independents and moderates who have been key to winning in battlegrounds.
    Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Mazloum announced the yeti repair — as well as the return of fan-favorite characters Dreamfinder and Figment to Epcot in Florida and an overhaul of Tomorrowland in California — to some of Disney's most ardent fans on Saturday.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Several of his most ardent supporters who attended Friday’s hearing were seen weeping in the courtroom benches.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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