GREEDY Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

greedy

adjective

ˈgrē-dē

Definition of greedy next

as in mercenary

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions a young rocker who was greedy for fame and riches the greedy exploitation of the land by developers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ravenous

having a huge appetite he's so greedy you have to carefully watch your plate during dinner, lest he snatch food off it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excited

showing urgent desire or interest he's greedy for new assignments that will really challenge him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Margo Martindale plays Ruth Landry, a struggling maple syrup farmer who is about to lose her farm to the greedy head of the collective, Leonard (Guy Nadon). —

Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024 In The Hunger Games, Collins transports us to the dystopian realm of Panem, a North American nation characterized by the greedy Capitol and 13 districts grappling with poverty. —

Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024 These Commissioners and Presidents are clueless and greedy! —

Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain. —

Josh Bell, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for greedy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for greedy

Adjective

Leaving these questions unasked opens the door to a mercenary, amoral public life.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
My wife, who is not an international money launderer or mercenary warlord, was turned down for a savings account with a UK bank last year because her driving license had expired.

David G.W. Birch, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024