avaricious

adjective

av·​a·​ri·​cious ˌa-və-ˈri-shəs 

: greedy of gain : excessively acquisitive especially in seeking to hoard riches

avaricious land-grabbers

avariciously adverb

avariciousness noun

Synonyms of avaricious

• greedy
• mercenary
• eager
• acquisitive
• covetous

Choose the Right Synonym for avaricious

covetous, greedy, acquisitive, grasping, avaricious mean having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions.

covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

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

avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

Examples of avaricious in a Sentence

an avaricious scheme to con the elderly couple out of thousands of dollars

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a quasi-heist theme to The Christophers, which revolves around an acclaimed artist (McKellen), who has long since stopped making new work, and his avaricious children (Gunning and Corden) who try to enlist Coel to complete some of their dad’s unfinished paintings. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026

Henwick’s Ruth, opposite Margaret Qualley’s avaricious Julia, represent a fork in the road for Becket. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026

Harlan has an avaricious family, each member of which has something to gain from his death. —Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

What Netanyahu wants is not this peace deal or avaricious annexations, but to stay in power. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see avarice

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

avaricious

adjective

av·​a·​ri·​cious ˌav-ə-ˈrish-əs 

: greedy for riches

avariciously adverb

avariciousness noun