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Some common synonyms of voracious<\/em> are gluttonous<\/em><\/a>, rapacious<\/em><\/a>, and ravenous<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"excessively greedy,\" voracious<\/em> applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.<\/p>

\/\/ teenagers are often voracious<\/em> eaters<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'gluttonous' be used to replace 'voracious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words gluttonous<\/em><\/a> and voracious<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, gluttonous<\/em> applies to one who delights in eating or acquiring things especially beyond the point of necessity or satiety.<\/p>

\/\/ an admiral who was gluttonous<\/em> for glory<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'rapacious' be used instead of 'voracious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms rapacious<\/em><\/a> and voracious<\/em> are close in meaning, rapacious<\/em> often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.<\/p>

\/\/ rapacious<\/em> developers indifferent to environmental concerns<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'ravenous' be a better fit than 'voracious'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to voracious<\/em>, ravenous<\/em><\/a> implies excessive hunger and suggests violent or grasping methods of dealing with food or with whatever satisfies an appetite.<\/p>

\/\/ a nation with a ravenous<\/em> lust for territorial expansion<\/p>" } } ] }

voracious

adjective

vȯ-ˈrā-shÉ™s How to pronounce voracious (audio)
Definition of voraciousnext
1
as in greedy
having a huge appetite it seemed like the voracious kitten was eating her weight in food every day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 These critters are voracious filter feeders that deplete the plankton that other native fish also depend on. —Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Whereas his father was a voracious reader, including of Western novels, Mojtaba has primarily read Islamic texts and the poetry of Hafez. —Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026 The exit of kingpins in the past has never offset the lure of huge profits tied to the voracious appetite for illicit substances north of the border. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026 Madrid are actually owned by 80,000 members who demand the highest standards — and are surrounded by a voracious local media who mercilessly criticise anyone who even temporarily falls short. —The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for voracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious
  1. greedy
  2. avid
  3. ravenous
  4. enthusiastic
  5. hungry
  6. excited
  7. eager
  8. ardent
Adjective
  • Sir Ian McKellen stars as a retired pop art sensation who is now the target of a greedy inheritance plot to forge and complete his eight unfinished canvases.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Until then, smuggling weed had been a grand adventure, an escape from a society that had just thrown Prager’s generation into a meat grinder in Vietnam, a repudiation of the crooked politicians and backward preachers and greedy capitalists who were running the world.
    — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of greedy
Adjective
  • He was described as an avid outdoorsman, a diver and a motorcycle rider, and as a devoted family man who was deeply committed to his Catholic faith.
    — Ray Campos, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The college junior was also an avid hockey player, his uncle said.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of avid
Adjective
  • Now Charlotte’s cult-favorite cookie boutique, Honeybear is known for its over-the-top cookies, weekly changing flavors and its ravenous, devoted fan base.
    — Timothy DePeugh, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
  • These creators are racking up views and garnering hyper-dedicated audiences who are ravenous for every new twist in the case.
    — Taylor Lorenz, Vanity Fair, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of ravenous
Adjective
  • Just around the corner, the hotel’s compact fitness centre lures even the least fitness-enthusiastic guests, thanks to knockout treadmill views extending to the bay.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans.
    — Jill Lances, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • Tommy disburses stuffings and sauces to hungry locals as the GIs seduced their grandmothers with Camels and nylon stockings.
    — Dominic Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The sequel significantly expands the scope of the original film’s story, moving from a single deadly night with one family into a much larger and more dangerous world of power-hungry rivals.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of hungry
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Dan is excited about his new collaboration with Ben Affleck.
    — William Earl, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
  • This morning, my daughter woke up incredibly excited.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Few restaurateurs appear eager to be that pioneer; Whalen’s group isn’t looking to open anything there.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the Columbus Zoo family will need to wait a bit longer.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • Shohat asked him several times if Rivera was an ardent opponent of communism in Cuba and socialism in Venezuela.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Talarico has been an ardent supporter of expanding legal gambling during his tenure in the Texas legislature.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of ardent

Browse Nearby Words

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voracious
voraciousness
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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of voracious for Spanish Speakers

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