Covetousness: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing a strong desire, often for someone else's possessions or qualities, typically with a negative connotation.

• He was filled with covetousness when he saw his neighbor's new car

Refers to an excessive and selfish desire for more of something than is needed, often money or power, with a negative connotation.

• His greed for wealth led him to make unethical business decisions

Generally used to describe the feeling of wanting something that someone else has, and can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.

• She couldn't help but feel envy when her friend got the promotion she had been hoping for

Used to describe the feeling of being upset and angry because someone has something that you want or because someone seems to be getting more attention, often in relationships.

• Her jealousy was evident when she saw her boyfriend talking to another girl

Covetousness is often used to describe a strong desire for someone else's possessions, which can come across as envious and negative.

• His covetousness for his neighbor's new car was evident in his eyes

Avarice is a more formal term often used in literature to describe an extreme greed for wealth or material gain, and it generally has a negative connotation.

• His avarice knew no bounds, as he amassed a fortune while his employees suffered

Acquisitiveness refers to a keen interest in acquiring and collecting things or wealth, not necessarily with a negative connotation.

• Her acquisitiveness led her to collect rare coins from around the world

Greed is commonly used to describe an intense and selfish desire for more of something than is needed, particularly wealth or food, and it has a straightforward negative meaning.

• The CEO's greed led to massive layoffs, despite record profits