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

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 The shocking shooting brought gloating from some corners of social media, where the killing was portrayed as the just slaying of a greedy corporate executive. —

The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024 For example, Nadon’s Leonard is so comically greedy that he is often jeered at and publically lambasted. —

Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024 Help the needy, not the greedy, as a wise man once argued. —

Henry Olsen, National Review, 21 Nov. 2024 His skin, a greedy shade of brown, seems to eat up all the light. —

Essence, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for greedy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for greedy

Adjective

Moscow provided air, weapon and artillery support to the regime, as well as mercenary fighters. Iran, long an ally and sponsor of Assad and Syria as a key node in its Axis of Resistance, stepped up its military presence to protect its client and secure weapons flows and influence.

Ian Pannell, ABC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Her motive in accepting the offer is not solely mercenary.

Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Nov. 2024