greed

noun

ˈgrēd 

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

motivated by naked ambition and greed

Synonyms

• acquisitiveness
• avarice
• avariciousness
• avidity
• avidness
• covetousness
• cupidity
• graspingness
• greediness
• mercenariness
• rapaciousness
• rapacity

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

Prosecutors said the killings were motivated by greed, pointing to a multimillion-dollar inheritance. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

Prosecutors argued the brothers acted out of greed, resorting to murder to get their multimillion-dollar inheritances before being cut out of their parents’ will. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025

Gibney even directed an episode of Billions, the Showtime drama about the nexus of Wall Street greed, political interests and dodgy prosecutors. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025

Later zombie stories tried to frame the condition as a virus, usually created in a lab so the writers can cram some allegories for greed and pride in there. —New Atlas, 12 Apr. 2025

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