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 As herbivores, deer enjoy snacking on vegetables, fruits, and foliage, potentially causing significant damage to your landscape. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 15 Apr. 2026 The herbivores arrived on the planet during the aftermath of the End-Permian Mass Extinction about 252 million years ago. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026 The anthocyanin pigments that predominate in dark leaves also protect them from UV damage and, due to their toxicity when highly concentrated, deter herbivores. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026 This included smaller herbivores like iguanodontians and early ceratopsians, formidable predators such as spinosaurids and carcharodontosaurians, and pterosaurs soaring above the waterways. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 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
  • Rabies can also be transmitted through direct contact with brain or nervous system tissue from an infected animal.
    — Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The animals have been seen on airport runways, walking on golf courses, roaming near schools and causing panic in supermarkets and hot spring resorts almost on a daily basis.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • All dogs come on a Martin potato roll with a choice of Angus beef, chicken sausage and vegetarian wieners.
    — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • The menu ranges from multi-course kaiseki and wagyu shabu-shabu to vegetarian options, and in the morning, both Japanese and Western breakfasts are available.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of vegetarian
Noun
  • Purple Carrot makes 100% vegan meal kits, groceries and ready-to-eat meals that are delivered right to your door.
    — Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Made from soft, flexible, vegan, and nontoxic silicone, these durable bags are designed to handle everything from errands to evenings out.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of vegan
Noun
  • Moreover, in every case, the ancestors were either insectivores or carnivores, with insect-eaters making the shift about three times more often than carnivores.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2025
  • 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, 18 July 2025
Definition of insectivore
Noun
  • After all, the cove belongs to the sea, the habitat of the creatures in question.
    — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2026
  • Or perhaps more accurately, like a gleeful romp with friends through a haunted-house attraction at a regional fair, with various creepy creatures leaping suddenly out of the darkness.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • Be sure to use lidded containers for trash and animal feed, and find other ways to attract birds while keeping other critters away.
    — Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 1 July 2026
  • In the best comedy ever inspired by a rando holiday, Bill Murray refuses to let a bucktoothed critter upstage him.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of critter
Noun
  • There be beasties beyond US Route 93, bigger than my vision could handle.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
  • My bathtub seems to be a place these cute beasties like to hang out.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 May 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herbivore

Nglish: Translation of herbivore for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herbivore

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