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 Downstream from the lake along the Illinois River, the voracious fish have taken over waterways. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025 The voracious Mubi is increasingly mixing in TV to its platform. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 8 May 2025 Pythons were the first invasive reptile to gain attention, with scientists increasingly alarmed by their size — the snakes can grow to 20 feet in length, breed prodigiously and have voracious appetites. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2025 Yet for a figure who spent his career guarding against voracious Chinese entrepreneurship at home, Mahathir welcomed Chinese investment and is scathing of American efforts to contain the rising superpower. Charlie Campbell, Time, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for voracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
Adjective
  • What the greedy developers are trying to do burns me to no end.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 May 2025
  • The beloved ruler was supposed to care about the wellbeing of his people, but the noblemen beneath him were greedy and indifferent.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Shah, an avid wine collector, wanted to open his own wine bar.
    Andy Wang, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Plus, parents’ avid use of social media means that word spreads quickly, giving the approach a leg up compared with targeting a single demographic that isn’t as enthusiastic online.
    Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • No one’s allowed to eat carbs on-site, forcing the ravenous grounds crew to sneak bagels behind a shed.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
  • Is the merger of Charter and Cox a last gasp to fend off their ravenous competitors and avoid the business equivalent of viral collapse?
    Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • But for his versatility, the variety in his attacking link-up and movement, and his ever-presence in a tough City season, there is reason to be excited for what lies ahead.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Artist Tina Birkhoff said this was her first year displaying her work at the event and was very excited to be at the show over the weekend.
    David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The bucket stretched the Pacers’ lead to 10 with 2:30 remaining, a cushion just enough to keep the hungry Knicks away.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 24 May 2025
  • So before the first guest turned up, there was enough food for a hungry crowd.
    Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • And fans also will be eager to watch the team play again.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
  • Against this backdrop of uncertainty, Dawkins is eager to get back on the court.
    Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • We are primed to value privileged or secret wisdom, vulnerable to flattery and suggestion, and enthusiastic about major leaps forward in scientific potential.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
  • Her personality will be a great addition to a loving, supportive and enthusiastic family.
    The Star, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • But a groundswell of protest art was answering the call with a new kind of ardent feeling that damned the false piety and hypocrisy of homophobic Christian doctrine.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • Most were, like O’Neil, young and ardent admirers of the actor, who at that point was between movies and had a different kind of creative itch to scratch.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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