Thesaurus

covetous

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

Some common synonyms of covetous are acquisitive , avaricious , grasping , and greedy . While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions. // covetous of his brother's country estate

Q: Where would 'acquisitive' be a reasonable alternative to 'covetous'?

The meanings of acquisitive and covetous largely overlap; however, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep. // an eagerly acquisitive mind

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

The words avaricious and covetous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess. // an avaricious miser

Q: How is 'grasping' related to other words for 'covetous'?

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 is it sensible to use 'greedy' instead of 'covetous'?

The synonyms greedy and covetous are sometimes interchangeable, but greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire. // greedy for status symbols

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Synonyms & Antonyms of covetous

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

one aggressive bargain hunter rushed to make a covetous grab for the last marked-down TV

Synonyms for covetous

Words Related to covetous

Near Antonyms for covetous

nonmaterialistic

2 having or showing mean resentment of another's possessions or advantages

a covetous child who must destroy what he cannot have

Synonyms for covetous

Words Related to covetous

Phrases Synonymous with covetous

Near Antonyms for covetous

well-meaning

Antonyms for covetous

unenvious

Frequently Asked Questions About covetous

How does the adjective covetous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of covetous are acquisitive, avaricious, grasping, and greedy. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

Where would acquisitive be a reasonable alternative to covetous?

The meanings of acquisitive and covetous largely overlap; however, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

In what contexts can avaricious take the place of covetous?

The words avaricious and covetous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser