grasping

American

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

adjective

greedy; avaricious.

a sly, grasping man.

Synonyms:

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

grasping British

/ ˈɡrɑːspɪŋ /

adjective

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

graspingly adverb
graspingness noun
overgrasping adjective
ungrasping adjective

Etymology

Origin of grasping

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

Vocabulary lists containing grasping

Greedy

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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.

Chelicerates rely on grasping appendages, often associated with venom delivery.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Kudrow’s comedy and the film – a real doc, not a mockumentary – take different approaches to grasping the fear and possibility of AI’s impending takeover.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

As Kassam noted, a lot of fans showed up, some of whom could be too grasping even by the standards of Washington.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

The rub is they ended up grasping desperately for the point Romero's thumping header gave them.

From BBC • Jan. 24, 2026

Her feet touching the side of the stone tower and her hands grasping the rope, Violet closed her eyes and began to climb.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023