AVARICIOUS Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

avaricious

adjective

ˌa-və-ˈri-shəs

Definition of avaricious

as in greedy

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions an avaricious scheme to con the elderly couple out of thousands of dollars

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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 Harlan has an avaricious family, each member of which has something to gain from his death. — Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 What Netanyahu wants is not this peace deal or avaricious annexations, but to stay in power. — Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025 But is better than the alternative of admitting to an avaricious Moscow that Ukraine must accept some kind of defeat. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 The comedy-drama follows a Gen Z content creator who returns to her ancestral home seeking viral material, only to encounter her deceased brother’s ghost while dealing with avaricious relatives. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avaricious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for avaricious

Adjective

However, greedy jobs are mostly characterized by the unpredictability of when individuals are required to work.

— Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Through its own websites, the mysterious group has been portraying itself as vigilantes out to rein in greedy video game developers.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of greedy

Adjective

However, the calculation changes if Apple sends you a mercenary spyware notification.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Lee joins after inking a deal to star in Tygo, a Korean-language entry in the franchise centered on his former child soldier turned mercenary, which is in post-production.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of mercenary

Adjective

Time will tell how immediate Kroenke’s impact will be, though the Angels are eager to find out.

— Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
But lawmakers of both parties are eager to avoid another impasse and would prefer to get back to their districts to campaign before the election.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of eager

Adjective

But for an acquisitive current occupant of the White House, the oldest continuously active musical organization hasn’t seemed enough.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
All this acquisitive activity has turned the majority of physicians into employees rather than independent operators.

— Sally Pipes, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Definition of acquisitive

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avaricious

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“Avaricious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avaricious. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of avaricious

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