rapacious

[ ruh-pey-shuhs ]

/ rəˈpeɪ ʃəs /

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adjective

given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.

inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate: a rapacious disposition.

(of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious.

Nearby words

rap session, rap sheet, rap someone's knuckles, rapa nui, rapable, rapacity, rapaciously, rapacity, rapacki, rapacki plan, rapallo

Origin of rapacious

1645–55; < Latin rapāci- (stem of rapāx greedy, akin to rapere to seize; see rape¹) + -ous

SYNONYMS FOR rapacious

2 ravenous, voracious, grasping; preying.

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ANTONYMS FOR rapacious

2 generous.

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Related forms

ra·pa·cious·ly, adverbra·pac·i·ty

[ruh-pas-i-tee] /rəˈpæs ɪ ti/, ra·pa·cious·ness, nounun·ra·pa·cious, adjectiveun·ra·pa·cious·ly, adverb

un·ra·pa·cious·ness, noun

Synonym study

2. See avaricious.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rapacity

Even as we cheer for her stamina, we shrink from her rapacity.
Brecht's Mercenary Mother Courage Turns 75|Katie Baker|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her folly and rapacity will sooner or later have their effect.
Memoirs of the Court of George IV. 1820-1830 (Vol 1)|Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
The litigation is not, nor ever has been, between their rapacity and his hoarded riches.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. III. (of 12)|Edmund Burke
These communities had no appeal against personal violence, no protection from rapacity and injustice.
Diary in America, Series One|Frederick Marryat (AKA Captain Marryat)

The rapacity of a land steward, heavy agricultural losses, and finally the arrival of a press-gang had reduced him to misery.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol VI.|Various
John of Salisbury denies that he sanctioned the rapacity of the king, and urges that he only yielded to necessity.
Life of Thomas Becket|Henry Hart Milman

British Dictionary definitions for rapacity

rapacious

/ (rəˈpeɪʃəs) /

adjective

practising pillage or rapine

greedy or grasping

(of animals, esp birds) subsisting by catching living prey

Derived Formsrapaciously, adverbrapacity (rəˈpæsɪtɪ) or rapaciousness, noun

Word Origin for rapacious

C17: from Latin rapāx grasping, from rapere to seize

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

Word Origin and History for rapacity (1 of 2)

rapacity

1540s, from Middle French rapacité (16c.), from Latin rapacitatem (nominative rapacitas) "greediness," from rapax (genitive rapacis) "grasping, plundering," from rapere "seize" (see rapid).

Word Origin and History for rapacity (1 of 2)

rapacious

adj.

1650s, from Latin rapaci-, stem of rapax "grasping," itself from stem of rapere "to seize" (see rapacity) + -ous. Related: Rapaciously; rapaciousness.

rapacious

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of rapacious

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for rapacity

British Dictionary definitions for rapacity

rapacious

adjective

Word Origin for rapacious

Word Origin and History for rapacity (1 of 2)

rapacity

Word Origin and History for rapacity (1 of 2)

rapacious