voracious

adjective

vȯ-ˈrā-shəs 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 Resilient global growth, sticky inflation, voracious private and government demand for debt, central banks unwilling to look through high oil prices, vague but palpable fiscal worries. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 With their sharp claws and powerful hind legs, skunks are voracious diggers. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 Sep. 2026 Smith, whose second book in the The Rose Bargain doubled the sales of the first, proving her audience’s voracious appetite, says this is a book that’s been a long time coming. — Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026 The public outrage over data centers, which the Post said has inspired 375 bills in state legislatures so far, embodies a concern far beyond their voracious demands for land, electricity and water. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 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
  • Meanwhile, greedy architecture fans stole blocks as mementos while the house was unoccupied.
    — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Her former research partner has absconded with her life’s work, presumably to put toward greedy human means of Manifest Destiny.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of greedy
Adjective
  • Broadcaster, journalist, Today anchor and avid Wordle player Savannah Guthrie is set to host.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Nemacolin is beloved by families looking for an active getaway, as well as avid golfers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of avid
Adjective
  • After a rancher’s dog discovered a ferret colony in Wyoming, scientists rallied to save the species nearly undone by humans’ ravenous expansion.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The Grampus went adrift, and its ravenous crew was never heard from again—until now.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of ravenous
Adjective
  • Downtown restaurant Kato, a repeat on the World’s 50 Best list in recent years, was an early and enthusiastic adopter of NA pairings.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The ire of everyday citizens continues to increase against a backdrop of enthusiastic and deep-pocketed Wall Street investors betting artificial intelligence is the economic engine of the future.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • Last week, Google’s Project Suncatcher launched a refrigerator-sized satellite carrying four AI chips into orbit on a SpaceX rocket, in an early test of whether the technology behind today’s power-hungry data centers could someday operate in space.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The incident is indicative of a growing problem in the Asheville area, involving humans giving hungry bears easy access to a buffet of tasty trash, experts say.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of hungry
Adjective
  • Everyone is excited for the vacation, except for Shannon and Carmella, who both have valid reasons.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors have said Birchmore was excited about her pregnancy and gave Farwell updates about her due date, ultrasounds, doctor appointments and a gender reveal.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • The service Everyone on staff is friendly and eager to assist.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Data center builders, semiconductor companies, power providers and cybersecurity firms are far less constrained, according to Cramer, because lenders remain eager to finance their growth.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • Turns out Ferrari’s ardent fan base is curiously conservative.
    — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Instead, Khamenei’s death brought out the Islamic Republic’s ardent supporters.
    — Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of ardent

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voodoos
voracious
voraciousness
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Cite this Entry

“Voracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/voracious. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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