as in edible
suitable for use as food
crab apples are not actually eating apples
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in consuming
to take in as food
having gone all day without food, we greedily ate the hamburgers
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in eroding
to consume or wear away gradually
the pot's protective coating was eaten away by the acid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dining
to take a meal
where's the best place to eat in this town?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bothering
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
it really eats me the way people go to national parks to enjoy nature—and then leave their litter behind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of eating
Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
There will also be a chicken wings eating contest from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and a burger eating contest from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Non-eating attractions include an artist alley, a communal mural, a family fun zone, a beer garden and two stages of live music.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Mark Scolforo, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
How To Buy Grapes Even with proper care for grapes, bear in mind that good grape eating starts in the grocery store.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for eating
Adjective
Another Internet-famous eating style is the keto diet, with minimal carbohydrates.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
There will also be a chicken wings eating contest from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and a burger eating contest from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Non-eating attractions include an artist alley, a communal mural, a family fun zone, a beer garden and two stages of live music.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Germans began celebrating the holiday in the 1880s by picnicking, hunting and eating groundhogs.
—Mark Scolforo, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026
How To Buy Grapes Even with proper care for grapes, bear in mind that good grape eating starts in the grocery store.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for eating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eating
Adjective
-
Canned Okra Okra is a nutritious vegetable that comes from an edible, flowering plant.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The chemical-free kitchen gardens supply heritage vegetables and edible flowers.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yet these shady financing deals can leave survivors owing substantial fees and interest, sometimes consuming a significant portion of any eventual award.—
Jaime Huff,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Remove ripe or overripe fruit from your kitchen as fast as possible by consuming, refrigerating, freezing, or composting.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Projects that bypass rigorous upfront analysis often end up relying on emergency mitigation, enforcement-heavy solutions, and costly redesigns, eroding public trust along the way.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
-
When the stock finally gets momentum, Cramer said the sellers appear, eroding the gains.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a wide array of restaurants and bars, from the fine-dining Carolina to Sea Breeze for fish tacos and ceviche to the Avocado Vegan Bar.—
Jenn Sinrich,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Shops and dining downtown are a short drive.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Is a man bothering you at a bar?—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some may be more liquid, while others really require chewing.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In other words, the chin contributes negligibly to resisting chewing forces.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The kids spent their days on the slopes, in watercolor or leather-making classes, horseback riding, feeding cattle on the farm, or in the game room.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Once eggs hatch, all members of the clan are involved in feeding chicks with acorns, insects and sap.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Eating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eating. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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