covetousness

American  

[kuhv-i-tuhs-nis] / ˈkʌv ɪ təs nɪs /

noun

1. eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions.

   Social media so often encourages us to compare ourselves to others, inspiring covetousness and insecurity.

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Other Word Forms

• noncovetousness
  noun
• overcovetousness
  noun
• uncovetousness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of covetousness

covetous ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Covetousness is about as human as it gets.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2021

Then one day last week Covetousness reared its ugly head.

From Time Magazine Archive

Covetousness stands mute, an abashed and haggard youth, amid the stony evidence of his larcenies.

From Time Magazine Archive

Covetousness and the lust of gold would hold the field of the world.

From The Great Discovery by Maclean, Norman

Covetousness lendeth out her money upon usury, and deceiveth with her balances, so that he who lendeth may have the greater gain.

From Aucassin & Nicolette And Other Mediaeval Romances and Legends by Mason, Eugene