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avaricious

Q: How does the adjective 'avaricious' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of avaricious are acquisitive , covetous , grasping , and greedy . While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess. // an avaricious miser

Q: When is it sensible to use 'acquisitive' instead of 'avaricious'?

Although the words acquisitive and avaricious have much in common, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep. // an eagerly acquisitive mind

Q: In what contexts can 'covetous' take the place of 'avaricious'?

The words covetous and avaricious can be used in similar contexts, but covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions. // covetous of his brother's country estate

Q: How does the word 'grasping' relate to other synonyms for 'avaricious'?

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

Q: When might 'greedy' be a better fit than 'avaricious'?

The meanings of greedy and avaricious largely overlap; however, greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire. // greedy for status symbols

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Synonyms & Antonyms of avaricious

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

an avaricious scheme to con the elderly couple out of thousands of dollars

Synonyms for avaricious

Words Related to avaricious

Near Antonyms for avaricious

nonmaterialistic

Frequently Asked Questions About avaricious

How does the adjective avaricious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of avaricious are acquisitive, covetous, grasping, and greedy. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

When is it sensible to use acquisitive instead of avaricious?

Although the words acquisitive and avaricious have much in common, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind