covetousness

American  

[kuhv-i-tuhs-nis] / ˈkʌv ɪ təs nɪs /

noun

1. eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth or possessions.

   Social media so often encourages us to compare ourselves to others, inspiring covetousness and insecurity.

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Other Word Forms

• noncovetousness
  noun
• overcovetousness
  noun
• uncovetousness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of covetousness

covetous ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

The covetousness is conspicuous in the new thriller “Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2021

Jean-Jacques Rousseau denounced fashion as a threat to moral society — an incitement to desire and covetousness, writing that finery is a “stranger to virtue.”

From New York Times • Dec. 22, 2020

It dips into rich territory by examining the covetousness social media inspires, not just for things, but for attention.

From Washington Times • Aug. 8, 2017

And giving in to envy and covetousness is not the path to safety, security and happiness.

From Washington Post • May 18, 2015

“Certainly. Go, dear, I forgot that you have any home but this,” and Mrs. March pressed the white hand that wore the wedding ring, as if asking pardon for her maternal covetousness.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott