greed

noun

Synonyms of greednext
: 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

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.
But corporate greed may end up doing the most damage of all. David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025 Set in the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, the show imagines Charles Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 2025 Governor Gavin Newsom has long blamed the greed of Big Oil, but the real cause is the combination of high taxes and overregulation enacted by state lawmakers. Austin Gae, Oc Register, 3 Dec. 2025 Alpha is billed as a fun, sexy, elevated genre title that explores the world of toxic masculinity, greed, and the mythos of success, a cross between American Psycho, the HBO Max series Industry and American Werewolf in London. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Dec. 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 14 Dec. 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
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