greed

noun

ˈgrēd 

: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed

motivated by naked ambition and greed

greed for money and power

Synonyms of greed

• avarice
• greediness
• rapacity
• acquisitiveness
• cupidity
• desire
• covetousness
• rapaciousness
• avariciousness
• hunger
• thirst
• appetite

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

Large institutions count on brand loyalty to do defensive work for them and on the public’s habit of treating accommodation disputes as greed rather than structural change. —Kelsey Maurine Brickl, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026

The novel used all these tensions to propel a study of greed, avarice, and racial divisions between the haves and have nots, leading to McCoy getting his comeuppance. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026

There are lots of complex reasons and complex factors that go into gas price at the pump, and the greed of oil companies is just one of them. —Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026

The most popular American sport, long recession-proof, forever immune to greed’s side effects, is prepared to stain its legacy. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from greedy

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for greed

• bead
• bleed
• brede
• breed
• cede
• creed
• deed
• feed
• freed
• heed
• keyed
• knead

Kids Definition

greed

noun

ˈgrēd 

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