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Definitions

starve

[stahrv] / stɑrv /
VERB
abstain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cease forgo pass up quit refrain renounce shun withhold
STRONG
abjure abnegate avoid constrain curb decline eschew evade fast forbear pass refuse spurn stop
WEAK
deny oneself do without fence-sit give the go by give up go on the wagon keep from sit on one's hands sit on the fence sit out take the cure take the pledge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
continue do
STRONG
accept allow embrace encourage face meet use want
WEAK
indulge
VERB
diet
Synonyms
STRONG
fast reduce slim
WEAK
count calories eat sparingly fall off go without lose weight skinny down slim down tighten belt watch weight
Antonyms
WEAK
gorge indulge
VERB
fast
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abstain
STRONG
diet famish forbear refrain
WEAK
deny oneself go hungry not eat
Antonyms
STRONG
indulge
WEAK
eat glut gorge stuff
VERB
want
Synonyms
STRONGEST
call for demand require
STRONG
miss
WEAK
be deficient be deprived of be found wanting be insufficient be poor be short of be without fall short in have need of stand in need of
Antonyms
WEAK
despise dislike hate have

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.

“You’re going to probably starve the person to death before you starve the cancer to death,” she said.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

“That is your body not wanting you to starve to death.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

"If I don't find a job here, I'll have to emigrate again. We have no choice. We can't starve," he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

I’ve had an entire career where if I sit around and wait for someone to come knocking on my door, I will starve.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

Derek would lose some weight, but he wouldn’t starve to death in that time.

From "The River" by Gary Paulsen

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