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 Leave aside the many copyright fights and licensing deals between content owners and the voracious ingestion of their works by the LLM vendors. Tod Loofbourrow, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The best gift for the voracious reader in your life is...more books! Cai Cramer, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024 By coincidence, most of them met through the Headwaters Chapter 642 of Minnesota Trout Unlimited, which is ironic, perhaps, considering pike are voracious predators of trout, Young says. Brad Dokken, Twin Cities, 7 Dec. 2024 Americans owe more than $1 trillion in credit card debt, driven in part by a voracious appetite for miles. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for voracious 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
Adjective
  • The greedy wizard had an idea to build beautiful hotels and homes.
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
  • But that’s not the way of most corporate America, despite the endless pushing by greedy bankers and lawyers who don’t have enough work to do to maintain their admittedly lavish lifestyles versus pretty much the rest of the country’s work force.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • That swipe didn’t sit well with some industry supporters, who have been avid donors and supporters of party candidates.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Look at how the stock price of Robinhood, the signature brokerage platform for today’s at-home and on-the-go traders, and Palantir , the software name with the most avid and aggressive retail fan base.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The researchers found that clay sprayed on the water's surface bonds with the carbon, creating sticky balls that become part of the ravenous little creatures' daily smorgasbord.
    Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024
  • That said, recent history suggests the most ravenous cap eaters do not inherently prevent an organization from remaining competitive.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ludacris is as excited as Fast & Furious fans are to find out details on the franchise's final film.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025
  • His oldest son, also named Vinnie, who turns 4 Sunday, was so excited Dad was coming home.
    Michael Russo, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The best and hungriest sides find a way of treating every match and every opponent the same, with no slipping of standards.
    George Caulkin, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Afterward, the female looked bored, and then, perking up at the grunts of nearby warthogs, hungry.
    Marcia DeSanctis, airmail.news, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisers seemed eager to evoke a smile or recognition, and then get off the stage.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
  • The Chiefs are trying to become the first NFL team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row, and the Eagles are eager to stop them and avenge their 2023 loss.
    NPR Staff, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • His message was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd that followed him.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Some of the comedian's followers were enthusiastic about his video.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In their posh Palm Springs home, Polly and Lyman Wyeth (at Cygnet, played by Rosina Reynolds and Alan Rust) are ardent Republicans.
    David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Friends and family remember Stephanie and Roger as extremely devoted parents and ardent supporters of Cory’s budding skating career.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near voracious

Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on voracious

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