avarice

[ av-er-is ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: cupidity

avarice

/ ˈævərɪs /

noun

1. extreme greed for riches; cupidity

Derived Forms

• ˌavaˈriciousness, noun
• ˌavaˈricious, adjective
• ˌavaˈriciously, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of avarice¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of avarice¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin avaritia, from avārus covetous, from avēre to crave

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times

Related to my point above, the destruction of the moral compass and avarice and cowardice in the Republican party has ushered in a new wave of candidates and politicians.

From Salon

Scrubjay and his partner, a journalist cat named Moose, become embroiled in a crisis dictated by a planetwide housing shortage caused by corporate avarice.

From Washington Post

“Covetousness and avarice” trump whatever wisdom we gain in our short lives.

From Los Angeles Times

It would, no doubt, make them wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice.

From Seattle Times