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 And if DeBlois’s new movie flopped, the rides would stand as multimillion-dollar monuments to corporate hubris and Hollywood greed. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026 The plan also reads a bit like a fairy tale in which world leadership suddenly comes together, setting aside politics, personal interest, and greed for the sake of humanity. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 This amendment puts taxpayers first, limits government greed, and strengthens the economic security of South Florida communities. — Joseph "joe" Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026 Industry is where innocence goes to die, choked out in bed by various personifications of greed. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for greed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for greed

Noun

In the mid-19th century, a family of Dutch-Afrikaans homesteaders sets out to cross the inhospitable terrain of the Kalahari Desert along with their backer, a boorish Brit whose avarice and bigotry loom large over the journey.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
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

Definition of avarice

Noun

This variation of socialism aimed to blunt the rapacity of capitalism rather than sharpen its contradictions and hasten the coming revolution.

— Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026
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

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

For years, the Royals have searched for a quality outfielder, and that desire remains.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Villa’s desire to address this position has grown in prominence over the summer, with Jadon Sancho’s loan ending, Evann Guessand and Leon Bailey available to leave and Villa having the money to spend from Rogers’ sale.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026