grasping

grasp·ing

adj \ˈgras-piŋ\

Definition of GRASPING

: desiring material possessions urgently and excessively and often to the point of ruthlessness

— grasp·ing·ly \ˈgras-piŋ-lē\ adverb

— grasp·ing·ness noun

Examples of GRASPING

1. Her grasping children fought over her property when she died.
2. <a grasping person who would rather buy a car he didn't need than give a dime to charity>

First Known Use of GRASPING

1710

Related to GRASPING

Synonyms: acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, grabby, greedy, mercenary, moneygrubbing, rapacious

Related Words: commercialistic, materialistic, philistine; desirous, eager, itchy, lickerish, miserly; hoggish, piggish, piggy, swinish; devouring, gluttonous, gobbling, insatiable, ravenous, unquenchable, voracious; egocentric, egoistic (also egoistical), egotistic (or egotistical), self-centered, self-seeking; discontent, discontented, malcontent, unsatisfied; begrudging, grudging, resentful

Near Antonyms: nonmaterialistic; altruistic, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, selfless, unselfish, unsparing; controlled, moderate, restrained, temperate; content, sated, satisfied

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See Synonym Discussion at covetous