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.

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grasping British  

/ ˈɡrɑːspɪŋ /

adjective

1. greedy; avaricious; rapacious

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Other Word Forms

• graspingly adverb
• graspingness noun
• overgrasping adjective
• ungrasping adjective

Etymology

Origin of grasping

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

Example Sentences

But I kept walking, steeled only by the strength from Olka’s elbow, which I was grasping, less as the part demanded than as a crutch I needed.

From Literature

“Again I floated between big logs, grasping anything floating to stay up. The logs were far too big to hold much,” said Venus.

From Literature

He tends to see allies as grasping dependents rather than force multipliers.

From The Wall Street Journal

My mind flickers back to her room and I suddenly feel my hand beneath the floor, grasping the small leather book.

From Literature

He keeps it close the whole night, grasping it with the little strength he has left.

From Literature