Synonyms of acquisitive

acquisitive

adjective

ə-ˈkwi-zə-tiv 

as in greedy

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions

acquisitive developers are trying to tear down the historic home and build a shopping mall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• greedy
• mercenary
• eager
• avaricious
• covetous
• avid
• grasping
• coveting
• rapacious
• grabby
• materialistic
• moneygrubbing
• desirous
• insatiable
• egotistical
• ravenous
• miserly
• gluttonous
• piggish
• hoggish
• egocentric
• egoistical
• voracious
• devouring
• unquenchable
• discontented
• unsatisfied
• piggy
• swinish
• lickerish
• grudging
• itchy
• commercialistic
• egotistic
• resentful
• egoistic
• self-centered
• gobbling
• discontent
• malcontent
• begrudging
• self-seeking
• philistine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• liberal
• charitable
• altruistic
• unselfish
• magnanimous
• handsome
• selfless
• munificent
• controlled
• bountiful
• bounteous
• restrained
• unsparing
• moderate
• openhanded
• temperate
• nonmaterialistic
• content
• satisfied
• openhearted
• sated
• freehanded
• greathearted

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective acquisitive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of acquisitive are avaricious, covetous, grasping, and greedy. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

When could avaricious be used to replace acquisitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to acquisitive, avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

When would covetous be a good substitute for acquisitive?

While the synonyms covetous and acquisitive are close in meaning, 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 acquisitive?

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

When might greedy be a better fit than acquisitive?

The synonyms greedy and acquisitive are sometimes interchangeable, but greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of acquisitive

Retail e-commerce penetration had surged during the pandemic, which brought a rush of acquisitive capital into the space. —Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Cybersecurity providers are becoming more acquisitive, with some looking to offer a full platform of products to customers that are seeking to save money by reducing vendors. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

Banijay has been among the most acquisitive independent TV makers of recent years, and now reportedly has its sights on ITV. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025

The competitive battle for smaller players continued into the early 1960s until antitrust laws curtailed the acquisitive sprees. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

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