RAPACIOUS

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rapacious mean? 

• RAPACIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective RAPACIOUS has 3 senses:

1. living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey

2. excessively greedy and grasping

3. devouring or craving food in great quantities

  Familiarity information: RAPACIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RAPACIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey

Synonyms:

predatory; rapacious; raptorial; ravening; vulturine; vulturous

Context example:

a vulturine taste for offal

Similar:

aggressive (having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Excessively greedy and grasping

Synonyms:

rapacious; ravening; voracious

Context example:

paying taxes to voracious governments

Similar:

acquisitive (eager to acquire and possess things especially material possessions or ideas)

Derivation:

rapacity (reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Devouring or craving food in great quantities

Synonyms:

edacious; esurient; rapacious; ravening; ravenous; voracious; wolfish

Context example:

voracious sharks

Similar:

gluttonous (given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink)

Derivation:

rapaciousness; rapacity (extreme gluttony)

 Context examples 

Fortunately for those who pay their court through such foibles, a fond mother, though, in pursuit of praise for her children, the most rapacious of human beings, is likewise the most credulous; her demands are exorbitant; but she will swallow any thing; and the excessive affection and endurance of the Miss Steeles towards her offspring were viewed therefore by Lady Middleton without the smallest surprise or distrust.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)