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Definitions

consume

[kuhn-soom] / kənˈsum /
VERB
use up
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorb deplete devour dominate drain eat up employ exhaust expend obsess preoccupy spend waste
STRONG
apply dissipate drivel engross finish go lavish lessen monopolize squander trifle utilize vanish
WEAK
avail oneself of finish up fritter away frivol away go through have recourse to profit by put away put to use run out of run through throw away wash up wear out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fill save
STRONG
appear create hoard
WEAK
accumulate build collect construct fast gather neglect not use starve store
VERB
eat, drink
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absorb devour eat up feed guzzle ingest inhale swallow
STRONG
Hoover bolt down gobble gorge gulp ingurgitate mow nibble partake punish scarf snack swill take wolf
WEAK
chow down meal polish off put away put down stuff one's face toss down
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain nibble
WEAK
accumulate build collect construct fast gather neglect not use starve store
VERB
destroy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
devastate eat up exhaust expend overwhelm ravage ruin waste
STRONG
annihilate crush decay demolish extinguish raze suppress wreck
WEAK
lay waste
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build construct create help save
STRONG
encourage let go release repair
WEAK
accumulate collect fast gather neglect not use starve store

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.

Borgli fearlessly asks how quickly the images we consume by scrolling or watching the news affect our thinking.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

"Sure, AI data centres consume massive amounts of energy, contribute to air pollution, and drain the water supply from local communities," Forcino said.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Annual interest costs consume nearly 20% of revenue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

They enter the food chain when small creatures like krill consume them.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

In order to survive, human beings have to consume food, which is an ordered form of energy, and convert it into heat, which is a disordered form of energy.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.