covetous 🔊
Meaning of covetous
Having or showing a great desire to possess something, typically something belonging to someone else.
Key Difference
Covetous implies an intense, often envious desire for something owned by another, whereas similar words like 'greedy' or 'avaricious' focus more on general acquisitiveness without specifying envy.
Example of covetous
- The covetous neighbor constantly eyed his friend's luxury car, wishing it were his own.
- Her covetous attitude toward her colleague's promotion created tension in the workplace.
Synonyms
envious 🔊
Meaning of envious
Feeling or showing discontent or resentment toward someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.
Key Difference
While 'covetous' focuses on the desire to possess what another has, 'envious' emphasizes the emotional resentment or discontent accompanying that desire.
Example of envious
- She was envious of her sister's artistic talent, though she admired it deeply.
- His envious glances at his coworker's new phone were hard to miss.
greedy 🔊
Meaning of greedy
Having an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth or power.
Key Difference
Greedy refers to a general insatiable desire, often without the specific focus on another person's possessions that 'covetous' implies.
Example of greedy
- The greedy CEO hoarded company profits while employees struggled with low wages.
- His greedy appetite for fame led him to make unethical decisions.
avaricious 🔊
Meaning of avaricious
Having an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
Key Difference
Avaricious is more formal and emphasizes a relentless pursuit of wealth, whereas 'covetous' can apply to non-material desires and often involves envy.
Example of avaricious
- The avaricious landlord raised rents excessively, disregarding tenants' hardships.
- An avaricious collector, he cared more about owning art than appreciating it.
jealous 🔊
Meaning of jealous
Feeling or showing resentment against someone because of their rivalry, success, or advantages.
Key Difference
Jealousy often involves fear of losing something one already has, while 'covetous' centers on desiring what someone else possesses.
Example of jealous
- He grew jealous when his best friend started spending time with others.
- Her jealous outburst revealed her insecurity about the relationship.
rapacious 🔊
Meaning of rapacious
Aggressively greedy or grasping.
Key Difference
Rapacious suggests a predatory, often ruthless desire, whereas 'covetous' is less aggressive and more about longing.
Example of rapacious
- The rapacious corporation exploited natural resources without regard for the environment.
- History remembers the rapacious warlord for his relentless plundering.
desirous 🔊
Meaning of desirous
Having or characterized by desire.
Key Difference
Desirous is neutral and lacks the negative, envious connotation of 'covetous.'
Example of desirous
- She was desirous of knowledge, spending hours in the library.
- The team was desirous of victory but accepted defeat gracefully.
acquisitive 🔊
Meaning of acquisitive
Excessively interested in acquiring wealth or material things.
Key Difference
Acquisitive describes a habitual tendency to accumulate, while 'covetous' highlights a specific, often envious desire.
Example of acquisitive
- His acquisitive nature made him amass a vast but unused collection of antiques.
- An acquisitive society often prioritizes ownership over sustainability.
grasping 🔊
Meaning of grasping
Avaricious; greedy.
Key Difference
Grasping implies a selfish, often unscrupulous eagerness to seize opportunities, whereas 'covetous' focuses on yearning for others' possessions.
Example of grasping
- The grasping politician accepted bribes without hesitation.
- Her grasping attitude alienated friends and colleagues alike.
yearning 🔊
Meaning of yearning
A feeling of intense longing for something.
Key Difference
Yearning is more emotional and less negative, lacking the envy or selfishness associated with 'covetous.'
Example of yearning
- The yearning for home overwhelmed her during her travels.
- His yearning for adventure led him to explore remote places.
Conclusion
- Covetous describes an envious desire for what others have, often leading to negative emotions or actions.
- Envious can be used when resentment accompanies the desire for another's possessions or advantages.
- Greedy is appropriate for general, insatiable desire without the specific focus on others' belongings.
- Avaricious fits contexts involving relentless pursuit of wealth, especially in a formal tone.
- Jealous works best when fear of losing something or resentment over rivalry is involved.
- Rapacious should be used for aggressive, predatory greed, often in historical or critical contexts.
- Desirous is neutral and suits positive or non-envious longing.
- Acquisitive describes habitual accumulation of material goods without the emotional nuance of covetousness.
- Grasping implies unscrupulous eagerness, often in moral critiques.
- Yearning conveys deep emotional longing, free from negative connotations.