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

Other Word Forms

• avariciousness noun
• avaricious adjective
• avariciously 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

Behind the rhetoric of sisterhood lurks avarice and greed.

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“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.

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

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

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He embraces cruelty, violence, greed, avarice, selfishness, revenge, lying, lust and dissembling.

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