ate

[eyt, et] / eɪt, ɛt /

VERB

consume food

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attack bite chew devour dine feed ingest inhale nibble pick swallow

STRONG

absorb banquet bolt breakfast cram digest dispatch gorge gormandize graze lunch masticate munch nosh ruminate scarf scoff snack sup wolf

WEAK

break bread chow down dispose of fall to feast upon gobble up have a bite have a meal have for make pig of oneself partake of peck at pig out polish off pork out put away take food take in take nourishment

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abstain

STRONG

misunderstand open

WEAK

build maintain preserve

VERB

erode, wear away; use up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bite drain nibble

STRONG

condense corrode crumble decay decompose disappear disintegrate dissipate dissolve exhaust gnaw liquefy melt rot rust spill squander vanish

WEAK

run through waste away

Antonyms

STRONG

appear arrive build coagulate combine develop flourish grow hoard improve put together save solidify unite

WEAK

maintain preserve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Asked to name the best thing he ate during season two, he immediately says "everything" - before singling out a handful of pasta dishes, including one made with different types of mozzarella.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

In contrast, people who ate mainly in response to stress or emotions were less likely to respond as well.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

Data from the Bank of America Institute showed that lower-income consumers curbed their spending on such categories as restaurants, leisure and travel in March as higher fuel prices ate into their budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Consumers pulled back from dining out as inflation ate into discretionary spending.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

She ate two bowls of soup, and I made her some moose sandwiches.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell