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 China’s cockroach farms are already addressing this issue, feeding vast quantities of organic waste to billions of voracious insects. Scott Travers, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 Indeed, the voracious nature of its acquisitions has been what has gotten it into trouble repeatedly with the Justice Department. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2025 First, the asking price, a vast sum even in the voracious world of high-stakes wine collecting, kept rising—first $8 million, then $10 million, now likely more—the longer the collection sat and the more the wines inside kept appreciating. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2024 The editors were too voracious for new encounters, too busy planning the next issue. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for voracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
Adjective
  • Bad guys are selfish, greedy, and prone to speeches.
    John DeVore, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.
    Josh Bell, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Most people – even the most avid birders and aviculturists – have never seen nor even heard about these Neotropical parrots, and to the best of my knowledge, they are not kept in any zoo collections.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Most avid Springsteen fans would agree that the Hulu film offers the most in-depth look at the man and his process ever recorded.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Regardless of their general publisher designation, the ravenous architects of Hungry Minds want to be known beyond the world of reading.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Once everyone had a turn, the tables were opened for ravenous seconds, thirds and fourths, until no crumbs were left behind.
    Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His new kick-change has been a nice weapon against lefties and Taillon is excited about the pitch.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Kolache fans headed to Florida's Gulf Coast shouldn't get too excited yet, though.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Managing change proactively rather than reactively means staying hungry, staying humble and staying committed to the long-term vision—especially when things are going well.
    Robert Balentine, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The Kings didn’t push to create offense, with only 15 third-period shot attempts (only six of which went on goal) and instead focused on fending off a hungry Oilers team.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Taylor, a charming extrovert who can make anyone feel comfortable, is eager to help Avery find new friends and learn to flirt with women.
    Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Confidence in core institutions is badly shaken, and many Americans are eager for leaders who can restore stability and uphold fundamental rights.
    Marc Lester, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eric Bailly was the most enthusiastic dancer, standing on the massage table giving it some and kicking pizza boxes.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Buehrle delighted a cold but enthusiastic crowd of 25,390 at the stadium during a 6-0 blanking of the Texas Rangers.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Most of the protests have focused on President Donald Trump's policies and Elon Musk's sweeping federal cuts, of which Greene has been an ardent supporter.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The iconic singer was shot and killed in 1995, and this somber milestone was not missed by many of her most ardent supporters.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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