Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

grasping

American  
[gras-ping, grahs-] / ˈgræs pɪŋ, ˈgrɑs- /

adjective

  1. greedy; avaricious.

    a sly, grasping man.

    Synonyms:
    venal, acquisitive, selfish, covetous
  2. being used to grasp or tending to grasp; tenacious.


grasping British  
/ ˈɡrɑːspɪŋ /

adjective

  1. greedy; avaricious; rapacious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of grasping

First recorded in 1540–50; grasp + -ing 2

Vocabulary lists containing grasping

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As giant plant eating dinosaurs such as sauropods became more common, predators may have relied less on grasping prey with claws and more on delivering devastating bites.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2026

"I'm not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that's needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress," Phillips said.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Before Standard Oil became “the most gigantic, the most cruel, impudent, pitiless, and grasping monopoly which ever fastened upon a community,” it was a start-up.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

The intent of Riverside County’s grasping sheriff was as transparent as a pane of glass.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

I jumped, grasping a low, sticky pine branch beside me for balance.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "grasping" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com