as in greed
an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions
the bank official's embezzlement was motivated by pure avarice
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Recent Examples of avarice
This was not the only time Steel tried to cast Mia as motivated by avarice.
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Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Luther’s reforms changed the church forever, and arguably saved it from collapsing under the weight of its own power and avarice.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The public's reaction to his killing has highlighted the avarice and inequality that many Americans believe is at the root of the country's health care system, Axios' Ivana Saric writes.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for avarice
Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 2 June 2025
Luther’s reforms changed the church forever, and arguably saved it from collapsing under the weight of its own power and avarice.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The public's reaction to his killing has highlighted the avarice and inequality that many Americans believe is at the root of the country's health care system, Axios' Ivana Saric writes.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for avarice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avarice
greed
Noun
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The story follows five unqualified astronauts chasing wealth on a planet made of diamonds and gold, with greed and conflicting testimonies driving the tension.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Befriended by the aged proprietor of a now defunct Greek coast restaurant, the hen becomes an unwitting witness of human misery – greed, migrant trafficking, revenge upon revenge.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avarice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avarice. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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