Synonyms of covetous

covetous

adjective

ˈkə-və-təs 

1

as in greedy

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 & Similar Words

• greedy
• eager
• mercenary
• avaricious
• acquisitive
• coveting
• avid
• grasping
• rapacious
• desirous
• grabby
• materialistic
• moneygrubbing
• egotistical
• insatiable
• ravenous
• miserly
• gluttonous
• piggish
• hoggish
• egoistical
• egocentric
• unquenchable
• discontented
• unsatisfied
• devouring
• grudging
• piggy
• lickerish
• voracious
• itchy
• resentful
• swinish
• egotistic
• commercialistic
• egoistic
• discontent
• begrudging
• self-centered
• malcontent
• gobbling
• self-seeking
• philistine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• handsome
• charitable
• liberal
• altruistic
• unselfish
• magnanimous
• selfless
• bountiful
• bounteous
• munificent
• controlled
• unsparing
• restrained
• temperate
• moderate
• nonmaterialistic
• satisfied
• openhanded
• content
• openhearted
• greathearted
• sated
• freehanded

2

as in jealous

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

a covetous child who must destroy what he cannot have

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jealous
• envious
• resentful
• invidious
• greedy
• green with envy
• malicious
• jaundiced
• green-eyed
• avaricious
• suspicious
• eating one's heart out
• grudging
• spiteful
• begrudging
• grasping
• petty
• rapacious
• distrustful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• generous
• kind
• charitable
• benevolent
• altruistic
• unenvious
• kindhearted
• well-meaning

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

Examples of covetous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a typical dispatch for The Church Times, about St. Matthew, Mr. Blythe wrote: Not for us covetous desires and inordinate love of riches. —Clay Risen, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2023

Carol Foyler, who lives in Akron, Ohio, was openly covetous of the U.K.’s malignant narcissist. —Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2022

New-car temptation will come in many forms—with electricity, old-fashioned gas grunt, or a combo of both—to your covetous heart and, manufacturers hope, your garage. —Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 10 Oct. 2022

Once Lexington wins his first race, Harry’s ownership gives covetous White horsemen the necessary leverage to take the animal from him. —Maggie Shipstead, Washington Post, 17 June 2022