greed

1 of 2

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

greed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of gree entry 2

Synonyms of greed

Noun

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

Examples of greed in a Sentence

Noun

He was a ruthless businessman, motivated by naked ambition and greed.

don't let greed for riches control you

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Although a horrifying sea creature sits at the center of the show, this story is about a man desperate to cling to a decaying past, a grieving family and how greed can create monsters. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

The lawsuits, in his eyes, are simply cases of personal misfortune and landlord greed. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026

Greed, in all of its forms—greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge—has marked the upward surge of mankind. — Michael Douglas, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Tammy Faye stuck by Bakker, often with tears running down her mascara, even as many saw his downfall as a fitting symbol of the greed and hypocrisy of the 1980s. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

back-formation from greedy

First Known Use

Noun

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