Synonyms of greediness

greediness 1 of 2

noun

as in greed

an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions

her all-consuming greediness blinded her to the pain she caused others in her drive to get rich

Synonyms & Similar Words

• greed
• avarice
• cupidity
• rapacity
• acquisitiveness
• avariciousness
• rapaciousness
• desire
• covetousness
• hunger
• thirst
• appetite
• avidity
• materialism
• possessiveness
• craving
• graspingness
• avidness
• commercialism
• gluttony
• mercenariness
• longing
• lust
• selfishness
• passion
• egoism
• voracity
• egotism
• yearning
• self-interest
• yen
• ravenousness
• drive
• pining
• hankering
• itch
• piggishness
• self-centeredness
• gluttonousness
• self-regard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfaction
• gratification
• contentment
• fulfillment
• fulfilment
• generosity
• liberality
• magnanimity
• unselfishness
• charity
• bounty
• largess
• largesse
• altruism
• selflessness
• bountifulness
• generousness
• openheartedness
• bounteousness
• openhandedness

greedy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈgrē-dē 

1

as in grasping

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions

a young rocker who was greedy for fame and riches

the greedy exploitation of the land by developers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in ravenous

having a huge appetite

he's so greedy you have to carefully watch your plate during dinner, lest he snatch food off it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ravenous
• hungry
• gluttonous
• piggish
• starving
• rapacious
• hoggish
• voracious
• starved
• swinish
• edacious
• esurient
• wolfish
• insatiable
• devouring
• gobbling
• unquenchable
• famished
• hearty
• malnourished
• gorging
• gulping
• undernourished
• underfed
• peckish
• gormandizing
• empty
• unslakable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfied
• full
• content
• stuffed
• sated
• glutted
• satiated

3

as in excited

showing urgent desire or interest

he's greedy for new assignments that will really challenge him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excited
• avid
• enthusiastic
• eager
• hungry
• anxious
• impatient
• ardent
• keen
• voracious
• pumped
• thirsty
• happy
• desirous
• solicitous
• interested
• nuts
• crazy
• antsy
• gung ho
• great
• juiced
• wild
• ready
• enthused
• stoked
• agog
• willing
• bonkers
• geeked
• champing at the bit
• chomping at the bit
• hopped-up
• hot
• athirst
• obsessed
• covetous
• hepped up
• gaga
• raring
• ambitious
• engaged
• longing
• restless
• glad
• pining
• restive
• breathless
• craving
• amenable
• inclined
• disposed
• hankering
• game
• appetent
• hung up
• unreluctant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifferent
• apathetic
• uninterested
• unconcerned
• unenthusiastic
• disinterested
• casual
• nonchalant
• aloof
• incurious
• detached
• insouciant
• reluctant
• unwilling
• impassive
• stolid
• uneager
• lackadaisical
• hesitant
• spiritless
• lukewarm
• languid
• halfhearted
• averse
• loath
• languorous
• disinclined
• loth
• loathe

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective greedy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of greedy are acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, and grasping. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

When is it sensible to use acquisitive instead of greedy?

In some situations, the words acquisitive and greedy are roughly equivalent. However, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

When is avaricious a more appropriate choice than greedy?

The words avaricious and greedy can be used in similar contexts, but avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

Where would covetous be a reasonable alternative to greedy?

The meanings of covetous and greedy largely overlap; however, covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

How does the word grasping relate to other synonyms for greedy?

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of greediness

Adjective

And unlike the societal tone that often depicts billionaires as greedy, Bridgeman lived his life as an antithesis to this, showing up in kindness which was fed by his faith. —Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025

Though one is a human innovation and the other hails from a distant world, neither would’ve posed a danger had greedy tech barons not released them from the Pandora’s box of scientific progress. —Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025

O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i and the big island of Hawai’i were all joined by water but divided by greedy men, cunning chiefs and a cycle of endless combat. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025

Followers want leaders who demonstrate trust, are honest, who aren’t obviously self-serving and greedy at the expense of others, and who demonstrate humility. —Dave Winsborough, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025