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

Derived Forms

• overcovetousness
  noun
• noncovetousness
  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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Then one day last week Covetousness reared its ugly head.

From Time Magazine Archive

Covetousness entered his mind, and calling to the youth, he said, "What is the price of thy horse?"

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851 by Various

Which Envy raged furiously in the sting of Covetousness, as a venomous sting doth in the body.

From Dialogues on the Supersensual Life by Böhme, Jakob