VORACIOUS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

voracious

adjective

vȯ-ˈrā-shəs

Definition of voracious next

as in greedy

having a huge appetite it seemed like the voracious kitten was eating her weight in food every day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in avid

showing urgent desire or interest a voracious reader

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The internet already had a voracious appetite for information on the shooter in the aftermath of what many are calling an assassination, which occurred five days prior in Midtown Manhattan early on the morning of December 4. —

James Factora, Them, 10 Dec. 2024 Rutter and Welbeck are similarly voracious out of possession, an aspect of the game that is a non-negotiable for Hurzeler. —

Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 This frenetic spectacle draws dozens of voracious browns bears angling to catch the fish on their upriver spawning journey. —

Stephanie Vermillion, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024 Frond-feeding weevil larvae are voracious eaters, capable of devouring several water ferns per day without harming native plants. —

Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for voracious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious

Adjective

In his testimony earlier this month, former House Speaker Michael Madigan cast himself as a champion of the working class, a consensus-builder who used his power to bring people together on legislation and protect constituents from greedy utilities and corporations.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Costco's greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing.

— Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025