VORACIOUS Synonyms: 119 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

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 As a voracious reader, few places are as sacred to me as in bed at night with my book light and my book and a good bookmark is also a must-have. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 The appetite for larger compounds has become so voracious that Chad Carroll of Compass says requests for them have become a regular part of his business. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2026 Away from the pitch, Schlager is a voracious reader and has an inquisitive mind. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 21 July 2026 But even all that worker attraction is not enough to satisfy the Volunteer State's voracious appetite for talent. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for voracious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for voracious

Adjective

The show finds ways to expose the worst in its characters, their pettiest, most vengeful, greediest parts.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
As a counteroffer, Ormund dangles Driftmark in front of Ulf’s greedy eyes.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of greedy

Adjective

Her relationship with her boyfriend Ben (who happens to be an avid outdoorsman) has led her to believe certain things about herself, and has shaped her inner voice.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
That gift was personal, not a Ballmer Group grant, as Connie is an avid NPR listener.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of avid

Adjective

This franchise has proven the ability to spin anything — to keep ravenous fans on the line under any circumstance.

— Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
As competitors down dogs for ten straight minutes with a ravenous efficiency that feels worlds apart from snacking on a frank at the ballpark, eating escalates into an élite physical spectacle nearing performance art.

— Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

Definition of ravenous

Adjective

After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder) for resurrection.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
However, international observers fear that the deal, which Iran is uncharacteristically enthusiastic about, could concede to Tehran unprecedented authority to charge for transit through the strait.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of enthusiastic

Adjective

Meanwhile the family is growing increasingly hungry and grumpy with each other, as food runs low with no new signs of escape.

— William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
Even Ramp's round was marketed as an AI story as much as a fintech one, with TechCrunch noting investors hungry for fintechs that carry one.

— Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of hungry

Adjective

One player Nakase is excited to work with is someone her team was prepared to face on Friday night – Dallas star guard Paige Bueckers.

— Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
This will also be its first year since 2024, when Latino Fest returned after a five-year break to excited crowds.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of excited

Adjective

Unlike many residents, some, like Hawkins, were eager to learn about the project.

— Julia Avant, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
And while plenty of colleagues and acquaintances were all too eager to speak about those topics anonymously, almost nobody wanted their names attached.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of eager

Adjective

The first documentary, in fact, earned a 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, driven largely by her most ardent followers.

— Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 6 Aug. 2026
Helsinki and Jyväskylä provide the clearest and most manageable introduction for all but the most ardent students of architecture.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of ardent

Browse Nearby Words

voodoos

voracious

voraciousness

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Cite this Entry

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

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Synonyms of voracious

adjective

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Example Sentences

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Articles Related to voracious

'Veracious' vs. 'Voracious'

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on voracious

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