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

And on Thursday Chinese official Li Chao told a National Development and Reform Commission briefing on Thursday: "'Speed' and 'bubble' have always been issues that need grasping and balance in the development of frontier industries."

From Barron's

Thai massage therapists who did not understand English well had trouble grasping the class material, which involves anatomy and other technical topics, Kantachote said.

From Los Angeles Times

Was I grasping at a bit of my youth?

From Salon

All shared a distinction: They had proven far less capable of grasping basic truths in the heart of the U.S. financial system than a one-eyed money manager with Asperger’s syndrome.

From Literature

I don’t think people are really grasping the dangers of it all.

From The Wall Street Journal