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

Relevance

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

Example 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 In his testimony earlier this month, former House Speaker Michael Madigan cast himself as a champion of the working class, a consensus-builder who used his power to bring people together on legislation and protect constituents from greedy utilities and corporations. —

Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025 Costco's greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing. —

Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025 His heroes are often murderous vigilantes doling out death sentences to greedy politicians, officials and businessmen. —

Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Jan. 2025 Legendary investor Warren Buffett advises to be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful. —

Dividend Channel, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for greedy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for greedy

Adjective

In September 2024, Maduro announced the arrest of five Americans during a crackdown launched by Venezuela’s socialist regime to dismantle what the government claims is a mercenary force assembled by the CIA and Spain’s intelligence service to topple Maduro.

— Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2025
The conference — which draws child-abuse pediatricians, social workers, police officers and prosecutors — featured multiple presentations that cast doctors who testify for the defense as both ill informed and mercenary.

— Kirsten Potter Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024