RAVENOUS Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'ravenous' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ravenous are gluttonous , rapacious , and voracious . While all these words mean "excessively greedy," 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

Q: In what contexts can 'gluttonous' take the place of 'ravenous'?

The meanings of gluttonous and ravenous largely overlap; 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

Q: When might 'rapacious' be a better fit than 'ravenous'?

The words rapacious and ravenous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice. // rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

Q: When can 'voracious' be used instead of 'ravenous'?

The words voracious and ravenous can be used in similar contexts, but voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink. // teenagers are often voracious eaters

ravenous

adjective

ˈra-və-nəs

Definition of ravenous next

as in greedy

having a huge appetite we were ravenous after our canoe paddling, and the chili bubbling over the campfire smelled heavenly

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

Some common synonyms of ravenous are gluttonous, rapacious, and voracious. While all these words mean "excessively greedy," 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

In what contexts can gluttonous take the place of ravenous?

The meanings of gluttonous and ravenous largely overlap; 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 might rapacious be a better fit than ravenous?

The words rapacious and ravenous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.

rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

When can voracious be used instead of ravenous?

The words voracious and ravenous can be used in similar contexts, but voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.

teenagers are often voracious eaters

Examples of ravenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the blowback from the right, combined with higher interest rates and less ravenous consumer spending, has been enough to push major brands back to the sidelines. —

Allison Morrow, CNN, 19 July 2024 This thematic consistency is the hallmark of a complete artistic vision and is absolutely crucial to extend the life of an album in today’s music streaming architecture that is ravenous for new content and uninterested in encouraging deep listening. —

Hazlitt, 17 July 2024 Her ravenous fanbase has already earned her the title of Gen Z’s Madonna. —

Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 11 July 2024 The dormant power plant renowned as the site of the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history — Three Mile Island — may be switched back on, driven in part by the ravenous energy appetites of artificial intelligence developers. —

Evan Halper, Washington Post, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ravenous

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ravenous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.