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Many herbivorous animals, such as rabbits, deer, sheep, and cows, are noted for their gentle and passive ways. But such behavior is not universal among herbivores. Rhinoceroses and elephants, for instance, are capable of inflicting serious damage if threatened, and among dinosaurs, the herbivorous Diplodocus had a thick tail that could be used as a lethal weapon against attacking carnivores. Herbivorous humans are usually called vegetarians.
Examples of herbivorous in a Sentence
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Mixologist Giuseppe Atteo conjures up suitably fruity and herbivorous cocktails at the pale marble bar, themed for the seasons.
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Many grasses evolved to be partly dispersed by herbivorous mammals, the seeds passing through guts with the bulky leafy tissue.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Unlike many of its meat-eating relatives, this creature may have been omnivorous or herbivorous.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
That suggests Tanyka may have been omnivorous or herbivorous — a departure from many of its meat-eating relatives.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Many grasses evolved to be partly dispersed by herbivorous mammals, the seeds passing through guts with the bulky leafy tissue.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Unlike many of its meat-eating relatives, this creature may have been omnivorous or herbivorous.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
That suggests Tanyka may have been omnivorous or herbivorous — a departure from many of its meat-eating relatives.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for herbivorous
Cite this Entry
“Herbivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbivorous. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
herbivorous
adjective
her·biv·o·rous
ˌ(h)ər-ˈbiv-ə-rəs 
: eating or living on plants
Medical Definition
herbivorous
adjective
her·biv·o·rous
ˌ(h)ər-ˈbiv-ə-rəs
1
: feeding on plants
herbivorous mammals
2
: having a stout body and a long small intestine : endomorphic
herbivorously
adverb
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