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: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed
motivated by naked ambition and greed
Synonyms
Examples of greed in a Sentence
He was a ruthless businessman, motivated by naked ambition and greed.
don't let greed for riches control you
Recent Examples on the Web
The Korean dark comedy about greed and class discrimination in a symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan grossed $53 million domestic ($260 million worldwide).
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Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
The same bureaucratic mismanagement, corporate greed, and delusional left-wing energy policies that have turned California into a dystopian nightmare are creeping into red states, threatening to gut economic competitiveness and strangle American families with higher costs and unreliable power.
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
But consumers are already blaming corporate greed and President Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports.
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Michael Kan, PCMAG, 5 Feb. 2025
But then Beast Games comes along where contestants are successfully tempted into defying those ideals and Gen Zers seems shattered and devastated at the show’s harsh introduction to real-world quasi-capitalistic greed.
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James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
back-formation from greedy
First Known Use
1609, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near greed
Cite this Entry
“Greed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greed. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
greed
noun
: selfish desire for food, money, or possessions over and above one's needs
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