ravenous

adjective

ˈra-və-nəs How to pronounce ravenous (audio)
Definition of ravenousnext
as in greedy
having a huge appetite we were ravenous after our canoe paddling, and the chili bubbling over the campfire smelled heavenly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word ravenous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ravenous are gluttonous, rapacious, and voracious. While all these words mean "excessively greedy," 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

In what contexts can gluttonous take the place of ravenous?

The meanings of gluttonous and ravenous largely overlap; 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 might rapacious be a better fit than ravenous?

The words rapacious and ravenous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, rapacious often suggests excessive and utterly selfish acquisitiveness or avarice.

rapacious developers indifferent to environmental concerns

When can voracious be used instead of ravenous?

The words voracious and ravenous can be used in similar contexts, but voracious applies especially to habitual gorging with food or drink.

teenagers are often voracious eaters

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 ravenous The future of Azerbaijan wines appears bright—due to the availability of distinct local grape varieties and dedicated individuals ravenous to craft wines. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 Within about a day, ravenous flesh-eating larvae erupt, which both look and act like literal screws. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025 Raw-nerved, ravenous, and revealing in every gesture. —Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 Regardless of their general publisher designation, the ravenous architects of Hungry Minds want to be known beyond the world of reading. —Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ravenous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ravenous
  1. greedy
  2. hungry
  3. 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
Definition of greedy
Adjective
  • But after the county launched an aggressive public campaign to educate residents about securing garbage containers that attract hungry bears with no access to a natural food supply, incident reports plummeted.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025
  • 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
Definition of hungry
Adjective
  • Other times, a voracious star eats too much of a companion star nearby and gives itself a destructive bout of thermonuclear indigestion.
    — Robin George Andrews, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
  • The voracious buyer is taking domestic and multiple international rights.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 May 2025
Definition of voracious

Browse Nearby Words

ravening
ravenous
ravenousness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ravenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ravenous. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of ravenous for Spanish Speakers

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