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
  • Suddenly, Mickey is offering him a chance to play the main stage, which sets Sam’s greedier instincts into overdrive.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
  • But his greedy schemes and her desire to keep her dog immortal led to the downfall of her once-thriving business and turned her into a woman on the run.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In a 2017 study where participants were induced to feel jealous, those with anxious attachment styles experienced the highest levels of jealousy.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • So hot that its Bank of America Stadium roommate, the Carolina Panthers, has to be a little bit jealous.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These water signs are adaptable and eager team players, so help siblings dress up as a school of fish or as a peppy cheer squad that will bring everyone’s feelings up.
    Ella Cerón, Parents, 16 Sep. 2025
  • As always, Fonda was eager to gush about Redford’s looks, charm and shared interests.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The relevance of The Lord is impossible to ignore, especially in the character of a British journalist, who is extremely detached and mercenary.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Both sides need mercenaries to survive and this box provides a campaign framework for running a mercenary company willing to die for that almighty C-Bill.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Manipulating these obviously very greedy and avaricious [people] is still kind of beneath his skills.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The comedy-drama follows a Gen Z content creator who returns to her ancestral home seeking viral material, only to encounter her deceased brother’s ghost while dealing with avaricious relatives.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Cybersecurity providers are becoming more acquisitive, with some looking to offer a full platform of products to customers that are seeking to save money by reducing vendors.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Covetous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/covetous. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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