ravenous
adjective
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ravishing or ravenous?
Ravenous and ravishing are not synonyms, and mixing these two words may lead to potentially awkward writing or conversation. Ravenous is commonly used with the meaning “very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification,” and ravishing means “unusually attractive, pleasing, or striking.” If you find yourself hungry and standing in front of a spectacular-looking meal you would say (of the food) “that looks ravishing,” and (of yourself) “I am ravenous.” You may, of course, describe yourself as ravishing, but should be aware that you are commenting on your appearance rather than your hunger.
Examples of ravenous in a Sentence
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 June 2025
There’s a fascinating rawness to the way the film portrays Andy that echoes Mia (Sophie Wilde) in Talk to Me, someone who disguised her ravenous neediness with a grin and a joke, all her grief bottled up inside.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 May 2025
Forget The Very Hungry Caterpillar—scientists have discovered that another notoriously ravenous insect can eat its very first meal before it is even born.
—Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Then, output from its ravenous, twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six is rated at 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, 50 more hp and 36 more lb-ft than standard.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ravenous
Cite this Entry
“Ravenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ravenous. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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ravenous
adjective
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