GREED Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

greed

noun

ˈgrēd

Definition of greed

as in avarice

an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions don't let greed for riches control you

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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 greed Released at the tail end of Reaganomics, Carpenter’s most politically forward thriller now feels like a decoder ring for ’80s-era greed, detachment, complacency and ruthlessness. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 Does this show reveal more to me how the most vulnerable amongst us are suffering as a result of disinterest, apathy, greed? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026 He was lost in his personal problems, and, perhaps, blinded by greed. — Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026 Entering our 250th year, America will either emerge as a more perfect union, or crumble under the weight of our own cruelty and greed. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for greed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for greed

Noun

The theory here is that avarice and ambition can best be defeated by means of somebody else’s avarice and ambition; power’s inevitable corrupting effect is thereby mitigated or delayed.

— Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
And the forces that contributed to their demise — avarice, ignorance and a lack of imagination — are ascendant, illustrated by plans for a five-story Rolex shop on Las Olas and the Gekko district being built in downtown West Palm Beach.

— Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026

Definition of avarice

Noun

The French—and, later, Anglo (Wilde, Beardsley, Rossetti)—attitude, mannered and morbid, was perhaps too Old World, at odds with our cheerful, Protestant rapacity.

— Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
Unlike the specialized literary magazine and its informal cousin, the literary blog, the general-interest newspaper has a kind of noble rapacity, an encyclopedic ambition to wrap its arms around the whole of the world.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of rapacity

Noun

Many critics of such wanton cosmic acquisitiveness balk at the idea of scarcely regulated private-sector lunar strip-mining.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026
Following too closely in its protagonist’s footsteps, The Queen of Versailles presents only two options — tough but spiritually fulfilling material deprivation or unconstrained acquisitiveness.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025

Definition of acquisitiveness

Noun

Most accounts of the era blame greed—a new ethic of cupidity that displaced whatever youthful idealism remained from the 1960s.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
The stories of corporate cupidity and stupidity are perhaps more relevant now with technology discrupting markets.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2026

Definition of cupidity

Noun

But no, instead he is forced to bro out with all the guys, worst of which is Charlie, whom Brooks understandably has zero desire to spend any time with whatsoever.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026
The bonus of birding For many birders, a growing appreciation for birds naturally leads to a desire to protect them.

— Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 9 July 2026