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Starve - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

To starve means to suffer or die from extreme hunger. It can also describe a severe lack of something essential, such as food, love, or resources. The word is often used metaphorically.

starve

/stɑrv/ /stɑːv/

Definition:

Suffer or die from lack of food; deprive of something necessary.

Synonyms:

famish, hunger, deprive, malnourish

Part of Speech:

verb

Antonyms:

feed, nourish

Common Collocations:

starve to death, starve oneself, starve for attention, starve the enemy

Derivatives:

starvation, starving

Usage Tips:

Use "starve" for extreme hunger or deprivation; avoid overuse for minor hunger.

Common Phrases:

starve a fever feed a cold, starve the beast, starve out

Etymology:

From Old English "steorfan," meaning "to die," later specialized to "die from hunger."

Examples:

  • 1. The crops failed, and many began to starve.
  • 2. Without food, the animals will eventually starve.
  • 3. She felt she would starve if dinner was delayed.
  • 4. Some people starve themselves to lose weight quickly.

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