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 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 ravenous But after Chinese government began stimulus efforts to prod its economy, demand in Asia grew ravenous. —

Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 24 Nov. 2024 Almost instantly, the 43-year-old writer drew the attention of a ravenous online community, which brought adoring fans and harsh critics — including death threats — to her doorstep, sometimes literally. —

Lizz Schumer, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Much of the resistance is left to symbiotes released from the lab, which instantly find compatible hosts in the Imperium staffers and occasionally manage to escape the ravenous jaws of the xenophages. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024 Restless spirits and ravenous ghosts roamed there, in the waters, looking to pull unsuspecting humans into the netherworld. —

Zining Mok, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ravenous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravenous

Adjective

Some wonder what's wrong with American society; some see a wakeup call for greedy health insurers.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Even as a single, childless woman, which society calls failure, my life always felt charmed, so charmed that asking God for more felt greedy.

Essence, Essence, 17 Dec. 2024