avarice

American  

[av-er-is] / ˈæv ər ɪs /

noun

1. insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.

   Synonyms:

   cupidity

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avarice British  

/ ˈævərɪs /

noun

1. extreme greed for riches; cupidity

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Other Word Forms

• avaricious adjective
• avariciously adverb
• avariciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of avarice

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin avāritia, equivalent to avār(us) “greedy” + -itia -ice

Example Sentences

Behind the rhetoric of sisterhood lurks avarice and greed.

From Los Angeles Times

“The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson, for no other reason than unadulterated avarice,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times

Ellis-Taylor, meanwhile, brings a palpable heartache to “Nickel Boys” as a devoted grandmother sidelined by inequality and avarice.

From Los Angeles Times

But some of the most striking examples are not of intentional cruelty or blatant avarice but of simple blind spots.

From Salon

Walsh’s attorneys said in a court filing that he wasn’t motivated by avarice, but desperation.

From Seattle Times