Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective avaricious differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of avaricious are acquisitive, covetous, grasping, and greedy. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

When is it sensible to use acquisitive instead of avaricious?

Although the words acquisitive and avaricious have much in common, acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

In what contexts can covetous take the place of avaricious?

The words covetous and avaricious can be used in similar contexts, but 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 avaricious?

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

When might greedy be a better fit than avaricious?

The meanings of greedy and avaricious largely overlap; however, greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

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 avaricious Few places in the U.S. are more fraught with unresolved tension than South Dakota’s Black Hills, land stolen from the Sioux after treaties had been signed in order for avaricious Americans to pursue gold. Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 7 July 2024 To make the situation even worse, many traders were smart, young, risk-loving, and avaricious. Alan S. Blinder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2015 Code Words Across the centuries, the conspiracy theory of the manipulative, avaricious Jew has worn many faces, from Judas to Shylock to the Rothschilds. Alex Lemonides, New York Times, 9 May 2024 Some of those efforts struck observers as avaricious, especially in light of the dignified subject matter. Clay Risen, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for avaricious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avaricious
Adjective
  • When Sue becomes greedy with her time, exceeding seven days on the outside, Elisabeth suffers the consequences, and things take a dark and twisted turn.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Forget the greedy streamers: leave the job of filmmaking to people who care, to people like Corbet and Eisenberg, Fargeat and Zilbalodis.
    Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Neither Evil Steve Jobs nor his mercenary lackey are given much of a motor and oppressive presence.
    Courtney Howard, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Since invading Ukraine, Putin has regularly invoked old arguments about Russia’s imperial role in the world, yet his references amount to a mercenary patchwork.
    James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.
    Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Still, companies are eager to force folding screens into more types of devices, with the tech already expanding from phones to PCs and monitors.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Wiseman’s documentaries won’t ever earn blockbuster money or inspire franchises, the mark of success in the film world, and there’s no merch to purchase or brand sponsorship tickling the acquisitive part of your brain.
    Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Federation rivals ITV Studios and Fremantle are both rumored to be on the block, while Banijay remains acquisitive and newer players like North Road are part of this evolving conversation.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For a very long time, other nations have been sizing up California with a covetous eye.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Those include a daffy retriever, a headstrong capybara, a covetous lemur and a mysterious bird, as well as glimpses of more fantastical creatures.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Avaricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avaricious. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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