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 Hippos, which are herbivores, are the third-largest land animal after elephants and white rhinos and can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • When Hanne, a staff member of a struggling animal rescue, unexpectedly becomes executor of a wealthy hunting family’s estate, a bitter battle over the inheritance erupts.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Rock Art Trail is fun and educational, as is trying to identify what some of the animals depicted are.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • The Brasserie beside it, a continuation of the same vibe, focuses on French dishes with some good vegetarian options, and hosts a breakfast buffet with lovely local products.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Try one of the CIA’s two- to four-day boot camps to grow far more confident in regional Italian cuisine, seafood, vegetarian cooking, baking, and beyond.
    — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of vegetarian
Noun
  • The glossy finish of the pump offered some shine to her ensemble; the brand is known for using vegan leather.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Bespoke’s lip products are gluten-free and the gloss is vegan.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 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
  • Although a horrifying sea creature sits at the center of the show, this story is about a man desperate to cling to a decaying past, a grieving family and how greed can create monsters.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Starting with a scene that feels real and looks real lets McKeown get away with what is otherwise a silly creature feature, elongated but never past the point of enjoyment.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Clear blue skies are hovering over the Pharmalot campus, where a cool breeze is wafting by and the official mascots are bounding about the grounds in search of critters.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Already, some of these critters have moved into the area while the work continues.
    — Peggy Gossett-Seidman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 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
herbivores
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Cite this Entry

“Herbivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herbivore. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herbivore

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbivore

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