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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective greedy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of greedy are acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, and grasping. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

When is it sensible to use acquisitive instead of greedy?

In some situations, the words acquisitive and greedy are roughly equivalent. However, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

When is avaricious a more appropriate choice than greedy?

The words avaricious and greedy can be used in similar contexts, but avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

Where would covetous be a reasonable alternative to greedy?

The meanings of covetous and greedy largely overlap; however, covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

How does the word grasping relate to other synonyms for greedy?

Grasping adds to covetous and greedy an implication of selfishness and often suggests unfair or ruthless means.

a hard grasping businesswoman who cheated her associates

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of greedy The 20th-century Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is under siege from a greedy developer (James Bond star Timothy Dalton) and his thugs in the new season. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 The family drama comedy follows a Gen Z content creator who returns to her ancestral home for viral content, only to encounter her deceased brother’s ghost and deal with greedy relatives. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025 Along that greedy path, he has been sued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission three separate times. Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025 In the movie, the greedy Odell feasts on a purple unicorn steak and his ex-addict son snorts a line of powdered unicorn horn. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for greedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for greedy
Adjective
  • Others have used computer vision with some success in aiding material analysis of pigments and texture; more mercenary applications by museums and collectors include its potential to authenticate works of art.
    Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Bennett Conlin, editor: Former Terps legends Len Elmore and Tom McMillen wanted the program to avoid hiring another mercenary coach, instead bringing in a coach with strong Maryland ties.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Regardless of their general publisher designation, the ravenous architects of Hungry Minds want to be known beyond the world of reading.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Once everyone had a turn, the tables were opened for ravenous seconds, thirds and fourths, until no crumbs were left behind.
    Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Julianne being available and excited, wanting to come and play in the sandbox; James, similarly.
    EW Staff, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But the Devils are a bit of a mess thanks to injuries, which makes this matchup hard to get too excited over.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • For a very long time, other nations have been sizing up California with a covetous eye.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Those include a daffy retriever, a headstrong capybara, a covetous lemur and a mysterious bird, as well as glimpses of more fantastical creatures.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The minds behind Hungry Minds are just that — hungry.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Before his Top Gun fame, Powell was also the go-to chef at University of Texas tailgates, serving up wings and brisket for his hungry friends.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Outside of the office, Mr. Ratcliffe enjoys being home with his family, is an avid gardener, and enjoys playing with his three children and three dogs.
    Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Wang, an avid adventurer who has visited the Arctic and Antarctica on land, paid an undisclosed amount for the trip.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Like other acquisitive companies, the integration of technology was sub-optimal.
    Peter High, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Infinite Reality, which is building a headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was founded in 2019 and has been acquisitive in recent months, buying companies such as the Drone Racing League, Landvault and virtual reality retail brand Obsess.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • To devour one in a single bite would be gluttonous.
    Tanya Sichynsky, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Another venerable Caribbean Carnival tradition is the breakfast party, which on paper sounds like bona-fide madness: wake up in the middle of the night, go to a nice venue, drink and dance until the sun rises, eat a gluttonous drunken breakfast, then return home to get back in bed and knock out.
    Baz Dreisinger, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Greedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/greedy. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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