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

The covetousness is conspicuous in the new thriller “Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2021

Maybe they’re guilty of, say, coveting you, and maybe the covetousness is all your fault, a result of having gotten so close in the first place.

From New York Times • Dec. 20, 2017

It dips into rich territory by examining the covetousness social media inspires, not just for things, but for attention.

From Washington Times • Aug. 8, 2017

And giving in to envy and covetousness is not the path to safety, security and happiness.

From Washington Post • May 18, 2015

But before we started I looked with a certain longing through the glass door at a Luigi Franchi 12-gauge double with a Purdy lock so beautiful that I was filled with covetousness.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck