godan verb (-su), transitive verb
eat up and spoil; devour destructively
Used when animals or pests eat crops, food, or resources, causing damage or depletion. Emphasizes the destructive result of eating.
イノシシが畑の野菜を食い荒らした。
Wild boars ate up and ruined the vegetables in the field.
ネズミが倉庫の米を食い荒らしている。
Rats are devouring the rice in the warehouse.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
eat a bit of everything; nibble around
Describes eating small amounts from many dishes or parts, often leaving a messy or picked-over appearance. Less common than sense 1.
子供がおかずをあちこち食い荒らして、きれいに食べない。
The child picks at the side dishes here and there without eating neatly.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
encroach upon; take over; steal (support, market)
Figurative use: one entity gradually takes over another's territory, market share, or support base, often in a damaging way.
大手チェーンが地元商店の客を食い荒らしている。
The big chain is stealing customers from local shops.
新興企業が既存企業の市場を食い荒らす。
Startups encroach on the established companies' market.