Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of covetous For a very long time, other nations have been sizing up California with a covetous eye. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025 Those include a daffy retriever, a headstrong capybara, a covetous lemur and a mysterious bird, as well as glimpses of more fantastical creatures. Jack Smart, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025 No actor has played him with as much reptilian cruelty and covetous flair as Andrew Scott, either. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024 Though covetous of certain products, trends surrounding brands are often a flash in the pan, according to Casey Lewis, Gen Z consumer analyst and author of the viral After School newsletter. Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for covetous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for covetous
Adjective
  • Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.
    Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Both love rich, moist soil and neither one is greedy with space in the garden.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As the guy who took three years to get my f****** solar panels in I’m kind of jealous.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Now, Shepard has been jokingly jealous of Bell's spark with Brody on-screen in Nobody Wants This.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Now, stepping in Kansas City is shifting to a younger crowd that is eager to learn how to do the dance and continue on the legacy.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Fadaka-Soetan was one of the eager Lil Yachty fans that followed people onto the field and managed to get close to the stage alongside her friend, Brent.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Governments have turned to the Kremlin’s private mercenary army, the Africa Corps — formerly known as the Wagner Group — for protection.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The protagonist’s diabolical plot is fuelled by an unmanageable tangle of emotions, including raging jealousy, mercenary self-interest, and resentment of Eileen’s professional and intellectual accomplishments, which sparks shame at her own cosseted frivolity.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What Netanyahu wants is not this peace deal or avaricious annexations, but to stay in power.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But is better than the alternative of admitting to an avaricious Moscow that Ukraine must accept some kind of defeat.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Building out that platform and benefiting as more teams are plugged into it has meant Leonsis and MSE have stayed acquisitive.
    Ian Thomas, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Covetous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covetous. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on covetous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!