Definitions

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.

These individuals typically ate their first meal after 14:00 and fasted for about 17 hours.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

For years, she used to say the Supreme Court was a “family” and that they all got along great—they were all friends who worked together, ate together, and liked each other.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

I ate fish and chips every week for a year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Both eagles left the two eggs unattended for several hours, and ravens ate them.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

I ate more than I had for days.

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