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 As his parents struggle to establish a fragile peace with their disgruntled neighbors, young Miles takes an interest in the story of the Wendigo, a voracious shapeshifter from Native American mythology. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026 By night, the zoo’s sprawling parking lot became an insect smorgasbord for the large voracious bats. Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 As recently as last year, the bank’s executives were skeptical that ventures known for such voracious capital spending would be able to sustain their business models. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 Reading for fun isn’t just about fun Outside of schoolwork, a child can read anywhere from as few as 100,000 words per year to 10 million or more for the most voracious readers. Michelle Kearney, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for voracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
Adjective
  • Skubal, who missed more than a month after eventually having surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, mostly disagreed with public reaction painting him as greedy or selfish in not disclosing the strange feeling that had lingered in his arm.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • In Nolan’s telling, his deceit and plundering portend the collapse of the Bronze Age—a foreboding warning about greedy, fading empires that feels a little too relevant.
    Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Tate brothers, both former kickboxers, are known to be avid Trump supporters.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026
  • Every avid gardener knows the importance of watering plants and understanding each specific plant’s watering frequency and amount.
    Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 July 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
  • Leaders must cultivate a learning culture, addressing concerns and leveraging enthusiastic early adopters to introduce visible, low-risk AI applications.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • As for the wisdom of shepherding the Sun out of Connecticut, the traditionally enthusiastic market for women’s basketball, to Houston, where a championship franchise failed to take hold in the league’s early days, well, time will tell.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • Despite driving roughly 25,000 miles, Silbiger is hungry to get back on the asphalt to continue photographing.
    Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Ternus can’t simply bring the colossus that is Apple back to its hungry startup days, Milanesi said.
    Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Adjective
  • Redelinghuys said Umzi’s executive Chef Mensah Thompson is excited to bring South African cuisine and menu items inspired from other African countries.
    Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
  • An excited crowd cheered and waved homemade signs supporting Pancake.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • Now, the 34-year-old utilityman is grateful to be back and eager to build on his four-for-four start over two games.
    Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • As the Steam Deck slowly marches toward its fifth birthday next February, owners are likely eager for a way to extend its life rather than investing in expensive high-end competition.
    Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • Still, unhappiness — even among his most ardent supporters — is testing his grip on Russia.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 27 July 2026
  • The Tennessee native had been a crane operator, homestead farmer and ardent hunter, according to an online obituary.
    Robin Gibson, USA Today, 27 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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