covetous

adjective

cov·​et·​ous ˈkə-və-təs 

1

: marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions

He looked at his boss's new car with covetous eyes.

2

: having a craving for possession

covetous of power

covetously adverb

covetousness noun

Synonyms

• acquisitive
• avaricious
• avid
• coveting
• grabby
• grasping
• greedy
• mercenary
• moneygrubbing
• rapacious

Choose the Right Synonym for covetous

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 covetous in a Sentence

The expensive car drew many covetous looks.

one aggressive bargain hunter rushed to make a covetous grab for the last marked-down TV

Recent Examples on the Web

Though covetous of certain products, trends surrounding brands are often a flash in the pan, according to Casey Lewis, Gen Z consumer analyst and author of the viral After School newsletter. —Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024

All regard Cuba with the covetous memories of former lovers—longing mingled with knowledge of the island’s practical side, its transactionalism. —Jon Lee Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021

Photo : Mercedes-Benz AG This is a vehicle that is at once a capacious hauler of humans, a covetous lifestyle accessory, and a wildly competent militaristic transport. —Brett Berk, Robb Report, 13 May 2024

As Céline launches a charm offensive — a kind of maternal seduction, even — on the boy, Alice grows ever more anxiously protective: Is her bereft neighbor merely seeking an outlet for her grief, or enacting some kind of covetous revenge? —Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see covet

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

covetous

adjective

cov·​et·​ous ˈkəv-ət-əs 

: marked by a too eager desire especially for another's possessions

covetously adverb

covetousness noun