1
as in to consume
to destroy all trace of
a series of devastating storms devoured the beach on the south side of the island
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to spend
to make complete use of
a catastrophic medical event that devoured their savings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 devour
Private firefighters and staff protected the museum, but the fire tornado devoured everything else.
—
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
That blaze would soon be called the Hurst fire.
11:11 p.m.
Live images of flames devouring Palisades Village filled the 11 p.m. broadcast on KTTV..
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
As her right hand springs forth for an introduction, the 5ft 1in (156cm) midfielder looks as if she could be devoured by this boardroom chair.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Stuck in a lifeboat for nearly three weeks, the four survivors ultimately resorted to devouring one of their boatmates in order to survive.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devour
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025
That blaze would soon be called the Hurst fire.
11:11 p.m.
Live images of flames devouring Palisades Village filled the 11 p.m. broadcast on KTTV..
—Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
As her right hand springs forth for an introduction, the 5ft 1in (156cm) midfielder looks as if she could be devoured by this boardroom chair.
—Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025
Stuck in a lifeboat for nearly three weeks, the four survivors ultimately resorted to devouring one of their boatmates in order to survive.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for devour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devour
Verb
-
While Nile crocodiles typically drag their prey into the water and consume them, Gustave has been repeatedly observed killing humans and leaving their bodies behind.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
By cutting out sugar and consuming the right amount of carbohydrates and protein before and after training, the defender put on 10kg without losing any speed.—
Jay Harris,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
From feeling the sunshine on your skin to swimming in crystal-clear waters, spending time at the beach can have a healing impact on your wellbeing.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Sleeping the necessary seven to nine hours is like making a deposit, and any deprivation (that is, being awake more than 17 hours in a row) is like spending.—
Ashley Abramson,
Allure,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Older individuals are more likely to inhale food or liquid into their lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
-
In addition to facing unbearable losses, both had also unknowingly inhaled toxic debris that would spark a series of debilitating illnesses.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The swamp is not being drained; it’s being filled with more water than the Panama Canal.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Patrick Reed drained a hole-in-one at the 'Watering Hole,' which sent fans into a frenzy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The terrifying moment, captured on camera by the kayaker’s father, showed the whale surfacing in the Strait of Magellan and gulping Adrian Simancas for a few moments before releasing him.—
Abel Alvarado,
CNN,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The detective accepted the dare and gulped down the milk meant for the sergeant’s child, according to court papers.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Cowboys seem to be more concerned about the possibility of cap hell than exhausting every last resource to win now.—
Jon Machota,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
-
The Baltimore region has recently faced a volley of winter weather, exhausting some school systems of their snow days and leaving slippery roads behind.—
Dan Belson,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The passengers, migrants from China and Ecuador, were crammed into the cargo area with no seats or ventilation, concealed by cardboard taped over the windows.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Things can also get frustratingly chaotic in battle when too many enemies and allies are crammed into tight quarters.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Almost no area could absorb that much rain without flooding, but recent storms have already soaked soils in this region and make the threat that much more serious.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Although many at first wondered whether his threats of tariffs were a bluff and his suggestion that the U.S. absorb Canada was a joke, there is a growing sense that he must be taken seriously.—
Kate Linthicum and Denis Calnan Los Angeles Times (TNS),
arkansasonline.com,
16 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Devour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devour. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share