was devoured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was devoured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been completely consumed or destroyed, often in a figurative or dramatic sense. Example: "The cake was devoured by the hungry children within minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over four days, the bait was devoured.

The New York Times

"I was devoured by curiosity," Bamba laughs.

The Guardian - Music

When Mom brought groceries home, the fruit was devoured.

The New York Times

That handsome hardback was devoured til three in the morning.

The New Yorker

The Spanish sausage roasted with onions and peppers was devoured in moments.

The New York Times

The deceased who failed was devoured by the monster Am-mit, the "eater of the dead".

Encyclopedia Britannica

His presidency lasted 21 months, until he was devoured by his political enemies.

The New York Times

It turns out that everyone was devoured by a pride of lions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He passed around a platter of his cheese, which was devoured, along with sandwiches of meats and more mozzarella.

The New York Times

I imagined that as soon as BMI was devoured and assimilated, its former home at Terminal 1 would be relinquished.

Independent

He fled to Macedonia and was devoured by the king's hunting dogs, which is how he died.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was devoured" to vividly convey rapid and complete consumption, whether literal (food) or metaphorical (emotions, resources).

Common error

Avoid using "was devoured" in contexts that require a neutral or clinical tone. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "was consumed" or "was used" in formal reports or technical documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was devoured" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject underwent the action of being consumed or destroyed. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was devoured" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that vividly describes complete consumption or destruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most often in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. When you want to emphasize speed and thoroughness of consumption, whether literal or figurative, "was devoured" is an excellent choice. However, in formal or clinical contexts, consider more neutral alternatives like "was consumed" or "was used".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was consumed

A more general term for eating or using something up, lacking the intensity of "devoured".

was eaten up

Similar to "was consumed" but often implies a quicker or more thorough consumption.

was engulfed

Implies being completely surrounded and swallowed up, often used metaphorically for non-food items.

was swallowed up

Similar to "was engulfed", emphasizing the act of being completely taken in.

was destroyed

Focuses on the destructive aspect, indicating ruin or obliteration rather than consumption.

was ravaged

Suggests a violent and destructive impact, often by an external force.

was greedily eaten

Specifies the manner of consumption as greedy or ravenous, adding detail to the action.

was obliterated

Indicates complete annihilation, leaving no trace.

was overwhelmed

Implies being overpowered and overcome by something, often used in emotional or abstract contexts.

was completely used up

A more literal alternative, focusing on the exhaustion of a resource.

FAQs

How can I use "was devoured" in a sentence?

Use "was devoured" to describe something consumed quickly and completely. For example, "The pizza "was devoured" by the hungry students" or "His savings "was devoured" by medical bills".

What can I say instead of "was devoured"?

You can use alternatives like "was consumed", "was eaten up", or "was engulfed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was devoured" or "was consumed"?

Both "was devoured" and "was consumed" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Was devoured" implies a more rapid and enthusiastic consumption than "was consumed".

What's the difference between "was devoured" and "was ravaged"?

"Was devoured" implies consumption, while "was ravaged" suggests violent destruction. A building can be ravaged by a fire, but a cake is devoured.