greed

noun

: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed
motivated by naked ambition and greed

Examples of greed in a Sentence

He was a ruthless businessman, motivated by naked ambition and greed. don't let greed for riches control you
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For decades, they have been disillusioned by the cynicism, intellectual narrowness and greed of the corporate academy, which chose profit over principles while providing knowledge without conscience, skill without reflection, and schooling without heart. MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Throughout her career as a journalist, Macy has covered rural poverty and corporate greed. Grace Byron, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025 Not only that, Tolkien and Guest, beyond their creative work, actively supported the Welsh language, while Miyazaki took inspiration from Wales’ workers’ rights movement to tell a universal story about environmentalism and greed. Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 This obsession with efficiency and greed — that’s what’s driving AI. Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for greed

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from greedy

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of greed was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Greed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greed. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

greed

noun
: selfish desire for food, money, or possessions over and above one's needs

More from Merriam-Webster on greed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!