greed

noun

: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed
motivated by naked ambition and greed

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
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.
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). 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. 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. 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. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for greed 

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from greedy

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of greed was in 1609

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

More from Merriam-Webster on greed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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