as in avarice
an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions
don't let greed for riches control you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Prosecutors countered that the duo were motivated by greed, not virtue.
—
John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Is no one else bothered by the rapacious greed?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Across 17 tracks, Amos positions herself as both conqueror and coward, exploring how the greed and individualism of modern society has allowed tech feudalists and 21st-century robber barons to make out like kings.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
The villain is corporate greed.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for greed
John Annese, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026
Is no one else bothered by the rapacious greed?
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Across 17 tracks, Amos positions herself as both conqueror and coward, exploring how the greed and individualism of modern society has allowed tech feudalists and 21st-century robber barons to make out like kings.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
The villain is corporate greed.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for greed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for greed
Noun
-
The novel used all these tensions to propel a study of greed, avarice, and racial divisions between the haves and have nots, leading to McCoy getting his comeuppance.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
-
One reason for targeting Ashaal could have been run-of-the-mill avarice.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
People in the comments shared in the woman’s frustration, agreeing that her mother's greediness needs to be addressed.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
When kids didn’t withdraw, it was sometimes seen as greediness.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
The stories of corporate cupidity and stupidity are perhaps more relevant now with technology discrupting markets.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Whether through invasion, subversion, or transaction, the stories of new conquests are always lit by moments of deviltry, cupidity, violence, and farce.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Our desire to see each other can remain the same but the means of doing so have to be flexible.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Public interest in this crowdfunding effort shows a collective desire to disrupt the airline industry.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Simple fasting from food can be ruined — rendered not pleasing to Allah — if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For example, dopamine is crucial to link motivation about hunger to obtaining food.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
In an effort to raise money to fight hunger and homelessness, Hands Across America attempted to link people hand-in-hand from coast to coast, each participant being encouraged to make a donation.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Greed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/greed. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
