as in greed
an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions
the bank official's embezzlement was motivated by pure avarice
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 avarice
These are ambition and avarice; the love of power, and the love of money.
—
Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The public's reaction to his killing has highlighted the avarice and inequality that many Americans believe is at the root of the country's health care system, Axios' Ivana Saric writes.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
In this coming era—during which fear, corruption, and avarice will stand in prominence—gentleness, morality, and reason must be cherished in whatever form they can be found.
—The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
Its third and latest season offers a sharp dissection of how work can become an obsession, the false promises of ethical investing, and the endless cycle of avarice to which stockbrokers (and perhaps the rest of us) belong.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for avarice
Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025
The public's reaction to his killing has highlighted the avarice and inequality that many Americans believe is at the root of the country's health care system, Axios' Ivana Saric writes.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024
In this coming era—during which fear, corruption, and avarice will stand in prominence—gentleness, morality, and reason must be cherished in whatever form they can be found.
—The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
Its third and latest season offers a sharp dissection of how work can become an obsession, the false promises of ethical investing, and the endless cycle of avarice to which stockbrokers (and perhaps the rest of us) belong.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for avarice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for avarice
greed
Noun
-
While less-friendly fellow robots don’t feel pity, remorse, or fear, buying agents don’t feel greed, FOMO, or brand loyalty.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Homemade signs showed the breadth of issues that drew the demonstrators together: corporate greed, immigration, women and LGBTQ+ rights and more.—
Ken Palmer,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Avarice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/avarice. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share