as in greed
an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions
the queen's acquisitiveness would not be satisfied until she owned the largest diamond in the world
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Recent Examples of acquisitiveness
Many critics of such wanton cosmic acquisitiveness balk at the idea of scarcely regulated private-sector lunar strip-mining.
—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Following too closely in its protagonist’s footsteps, The Queen of Versailles presents only two options — tough but spiritually fulfilling material deprivation or unconstrained acquisitiveness.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Following too closely in its protagonist’s footsteps, The Queen of Versailles presents only two options — tough but spiritually fulfilling material deprivation or unconstrained acquisitiveness.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquisitiveness
greed
Noun
-
He was lost in his personal problems, and, perhaps, blinded by greed.
-
Entering our 250th year, America will either emerge as a more perfect union, or crumble under the weight of our own cruelty and greed.
Cite this Entry
“Acquisitiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquisitiveness. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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