herbivore

noun

Definition of herbivorenext
as in animal
an animal that only eats plants

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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 herbivore Woolly mammoths coexisted with early humans who hunted the cold-resistant herbivores for food and used their tusks and bones as tools. — CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 Invertebrates make up more than 70% of all terrestrial animal species and are important pollinators, predators and herbivores in virtually every nonmarine ecosystem. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 When growing in the prairie, rattlesnake master’s spiny leaves deter other herbivores as well as some insects. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026 But the researchers wanted to see whether the markings on the Stegodon bones showed evidence that the hobbits were also hunting the only large-bodied herbivore on the island at the time. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for herbivore
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herbivore
  1. animal
  2. vegetarian
  3. vegan
  4. insectivore
  5. creature
  6. critter
  7. beastie
Noun
  • Whale calls can travel as far as 100 kilometers underwater, which means the animals can be located by comparing when those calls reach receivers embedded along the ocean floor.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The animal was brought to safety as crews continued efforts to extinguish the fire and secure the scene.
    — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • Because collagen is derived from animal sources, both experts say that there are no real vegetarian collagen options.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
  • This means that Son Ermità's current gastronomic offering will be complemented by Binidufà’s restaurant specializing in vegetarian cuisine and the sister hotel’s glamorous bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of vegetarian
Noun
  • Make vegan avocado ice cream by blending avocado, coconut milk, and lemon zest and freezing it in an ice cream maker.
    — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Additionally, 4% of Americans identify as vegetarian or vegan.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of vegan
Noun
  • Belonging to the same group of mammals as sloths and anteaters, armadillos are voracious insectivores that eat large numbers of beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and other insects, grabbing them with their sticky tongues.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
  • Many of the bird species migrating through the Midwest are insectivores, living in the neotropics in winter to have food for survival.
    — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Definition of insectivore
Noun
  • Her daughter, who is an animal lover, has learned about marine creatures by scuba diving and going on submarine rides on their trips.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The apocalypse isn’t frightening because of zombies or some fantastical creature.
    — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Land targeted for conservation makes up a quilt of South Florida wilderness, from coastal wetland to tropical hammocks, inhabited by rare plants, butterflies, bats, snakes and other critters.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There aren’t many of those critters in the Golden State and, when they’re found, officials seek to eradicate them.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of critter
Noun
  • Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And when that happens, astronomers will set about studying these new beasties with other eyes on the sky to learn more about them and hopefully understand them.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of beastie

Browse Nearby Words

herbicides
herbivore
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Cite this Entry

“Herbivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herbivore. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herbivore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbivore

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