voraciousness
/və'reiʃəsnis/ Cách viết khác : (voracity) /vɔ'ræsiti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality or state of having a huge appetite; extreme eagerness to consume large amounts of food or drink. This is the primary meaning, describing an insatiable physical hunger.
- An intense and excessive desire or enthusiasm for something, often to an insatiable degree. This figurative meaning extends the concept to non-physical cravings, such as for knowledge, wealth, or experience.
Usage
- As a noun: "Voraciousness" is used to describe an extreme, often uncontrollable, level of consumption or desire. It is a formal term.
- It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence.
- It often appears with adjectives like "insatiable," "remarkable," or "sheer" to emphasize the extreme nature.
Examples
- Literal (appetite):
- The bear's voraciousness before hibernation is a natural survival mechanism.
- His voraciousness at the buffet astonished everyone.
- Figurative (desire):
- Her voraciousness for knowledge led her to read several books a week.
- The company's voraciousness for market share drove its aggressive acquisition strategy.
Advanced Usage
- "Insatiable voraciousness": A common collocation highlighting that the desire or hunger cannot be satisfied.
- The dictator was known for his insatiable voraciousness for power.
- Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a powerful, consuming drive.
- The critic praised the author's voraciousness for detail, which enriched the novel's world.
Variants and Related Words
- Voracious (adj.): Having a huge appetite; eagerly consuming large amounts. This is the adjective form.
- He is a voracious reader.
- Voracity (n.): A direct synonym for "voraciousness," meaning extreme greed for food or a strong desire for something. The two nouns are often interchangeable.
- The voracity of his ambition was unmatched.
Synonyms
- Ravenousness: Extreme hunger.
- Gluttony: Habitual greed or excess in eating.
- Insatiability: The state of being impossible to satisfy.
- Avidity: Keen interest or enthusiasm (often used figuratively).
Antonyms
- Abstemiousness: Moderate eating and drinking.
- Indifference: Lack of interest or concern.
- Satiety: The state of being full or satisfied.
Notes
- "Voraciousness" vs. "Greed": While both can relate to an excessive desire, "voraciousness" often carries a more neutral or descriptive tone regarding capacity or eagerness (e.g., a voracious reader). "Greed" almost always has a negative moral judgment, especially concerning wealth or possessions.
- The term is most effective when describing a degree of eagerness or consumption that is notable for its intensity and scale.
Noun
- an excessive desire for wealth (usually in large amounts)
- the greediness of lawyers
- extreme gluttony
- excessive desire to eat