starved; starving
1
a
: to perish from lack of food
b
: to suffer extreme hunger
2
a
archaic
: to die of cold
b
British
: to suffer greatly from cold
3
: to suffer or perish from deprivation
starved for affection
1
a
: to kill with hunger
b
: to deprive of nourishment
c
: to cause to capitulate by or as if by depriving of nourishment
tried to starve the enemy into submission
2
: to destroy by or cause to suffer from deprivation
starved the program of funds
3
archaic
: to kill with cold
Examples of starve in a Sentence
Without food they would starve.
They left him to starve out in the desert.
providing food for starving children
They tried to starve their enemies into submission.
It was clear that the dog had been starved.
You don't have to starve yourself to lose weight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fort Lauderdale police are investigating a possible case of animal abuse after a starving and injured dog was discovered behind a Walgreens over the weekend, according to a local rescue group.
—
Joan Murray, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Virtually all of them are starving for investment.
—Kevin J. Morrison, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
In the process, the deer destroyed large areas of natural vegetation, then began to starve to death.
—Mark Vanderschaaf, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Laith is starved for playmates and nurturing male company, self-conscious of his awkward position as the sole male in an otherwise all-female environment.
—Jay Weissberg, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for starve
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Joan Murray, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Virtually all of them are starving for investment.
—Kevin J. Morrison, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
In the process, the deer destroyed large areas of natural vegetation, then began to starve to death.
—Mark Vanderschaaf, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026
Laith is starved for playmates and nurturing male company, self-conscious of his awkward position as the sole male in an otherwise all-female environment.
—Jay Weissberg, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for starve
Cite this Entry
“Starve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starve. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
starve
verb
starved; starving
1
: to suffer or die or cause to suffer or die from lack of food
2
: to suffer or die or cause to suffer or die from a lack of something other than food
a child starving for affection
Etymology
Old English steorfan "to die (from any cause)"
Medical Definition
starve
verb
starved; starving
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