Synonyms of greedy

greedy

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
• desirous
• coveting
• rapacious
• moneygrubbing
• mercenary
• grabby
• materialistic
• ravenous
• miserly
• grudging
• 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

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 greedy

If enough people are angry at the greedy capitalists and find a rationale to blame them for their woes, the idea of socialism becomes more attractive. — Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

As a counteroffer, Ormund dangles Driftmark in front of Ulf’s greedy eyes. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Skubal, who missed more than a month after eventually having surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, mostly disagreed with public reaction painting him as greedy or selfish in not disclosing the strange feeling that had lingered in his arm. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Several of my prior assumptions were upended right from the start of the piece—including the idea that the reclining wars are all just the greedy airlines’ fault. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 July 2026