Definition of greedynext
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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 Some are calling it the Boom Boom era of fashion — where the ‘80s doctrine of fur, clashing prints and a greedy, more-is-more approach to dressing feels like a fun cosplay opportunity during an otherwise bleak economic, political and social reality. Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026 This isn’t a story about greedy doctors. Jess Steier, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026 In Uptown Girls, Molly (Murphy) lives a charmed life as the daughter of a deceased rockstar who left her everything, until her greedy wealth manager skips town with all her money. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026 The various bank bailouts during the financial crisis bred a sense among large parts of the Dutch population that they were made to pay for excessive risks taken by greedy bankers. Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for greedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for greedy
Adjective
  • In this war lawyers invariably are depicted as soulless and grasping ambulance-chasers unconcerned about their clients’ welfare, and businesses as, well, soulless, grasping and unconcerned about their customers.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
  • The grasping big toe also suggested this human relative spent more time in the trees.
    CBS News, CBS News, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • My memories of particular meals have been overwritten by the ravenous après-ski hunger that then drove me.
    Andrew Fedorov, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Those rules can’t fix the short-term problem of ravenous demand for electricity that is outpacing the speed of power plant construction, analysts say.
    Marc Levy, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Broker Gino Kalasho of Commercial Asset Advisors, who worked with Las Cuatro Milpas in securing the new space, said Monday that the family was a delight to work with and that the other retail tenants at Mercado del Barrio are excited about the prospect of having the restaurant as a new neighbor.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
  • After making the Olympic team, the New Jersey native was most excited about the village.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Starring Elordi and Barry Keoghan, Fennell’s dark comedy about class resentment and covetous destruction was sold on the promise of erotic excess.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
  • For most players, that amount of storage is realistically enough for all but the most covetous data hoarders.
    Matt Kamen, Wired News, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • At Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate, on the edge of the Namib Desert, grapes are grown under netting to keep off hungry baboons, meaning there’s plenty for us tipple-loving primates to enjoy.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Messi is still Messi at 38 years old, hungry as ever and eager to stay fit with the 2026 World Cup approaching this summer.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The White House did not return a request for comment Thursday night on why Trump, an avid sports fan, pardoned the players.
    Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Bell takes an avid interest in the history of cocktails, taking note of the context for why certain drinks have gone in and out of fashion throughout the decades.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • L’Oréal, which was highly acquisitive in 2025, with deals to purchase Kering Beauty, Medik8 and ColorWow, as well as an additional 10 percent stake in Galderma, among other transactions, no doubt will continue enriching its portfolio in the new year.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Paramount Skydance completed its merger last year, and since then CEO David Ellison has been acquisitive.
    Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In the last few seconds, the black holes whirl around each other at near the speed of light, emitting ever more powerful gravitational waves until the two actually merge, combining in one gluttonous gulp that leaves behind a single, more massive black hole.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The compound works, and while her gluttonous binges become increasingly uncontrolled — filmed by James and DP Charlie Sarroff like woozy Francis Bacon images — her weight keeps plummeting.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Greedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/greedy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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