Rapaciously Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
🤑
rapaciously
[rəˈpeɪʃəsli ]
Definition
describing behavior
Rapaciously refers to an aggressive or greedy manner in which someone seeks to obtain something, often with little regard for others. It characterizes actions that are driven by an insatiable desire for wealth, power, or gratification. This term is often used to describe extreme types of greed or avarice, where one's actions are devoid of compassion or ethical considerations. When someone acts rapaciously, they may exploit others or resources ruthlessly to fulfill their own desires.
Synonyms
avidly, greedily, insatiably, voraciously.
Examples of usage
- The company expanded rapaciously, buying out smaller competitors without a second thought.
- He pursued his ambitions rapaciously, leaving a trail of discontent in his wake.
- The rapaciously hungry crowd surged forward, eager for the free food.
- Investors acted rapaciously during the market boom, neglecting the potential risks.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Studies indicate that feeling deprived can lead to rapacious behavior, as individuals may overcompensate by being overly greedy.
- Greed can stem from a lack of security and is often linked to negative personal and societal outcomes.
- Individuals who exhibit rapacious tendencies may struggle with satisfaction, constantly seeking more despite having enough.
Literature
- The term often appears in literature to describe characters who pursue wealth or power without consideration for others.
- In many classic novels, rapacious characters symbolize unchecked ambition and moral decay.
- Writers like Charles Dickens used 'rapacious' to illustrate the darker sides of capitalism and greed.
Pop Culture
- The term is commonly used in critiques of corporate practices that prioritize profit over ethics or sustainability.
- In modern media, characters portrayed as rapacious often serve as antagonists, emphasizing their greedy nature.
- Songs and movies may feature themes of rapacity, using it to highlight societal issues and personal downfall.
Economics
- Rapacious business practices can lead to monopolies, where one entity dominates the market, harming competition.
- The concept plays a crucial role in discussions about capitalism, where unregulated greed can lead to economic crises.
- In environmental economics, rapacious exploitation of resources is a central issue, prompting calls for sustainability.
Origin of 'rapaciously'
Main points about word origin
- Derived from the Latin word 'rapax', meaning 'seizing' or 'greedy'.
- The suffix '-ous' denotes having the quality of, so 'rapacious' literally means 'having a greedy quality'.
- The word became prominent in English around the late 18th century, emphasizing an aggressive desire for gain.
The word 'rapaciously' is derived from the Latin word 'rapax', meaning 'greedy' or 'seizing'. 'Rapax' itself stems from the root 'rapere', which means 'to seize' or 'to grab'. The English language adopted this term around the late 16th century, carrying forward the connotation of aggressive greed. Over time, 'rapacious' has come to describe actions motivated by an unquenchable desire for wealth or resources, and the adverbial form 'rapaciously' carries this meaning into the realm of behavior and mannerisms. In literature and discourse, it has often been used to critique practices in politics, business, and cultural impositions that are characterized by exploitation and greed. The term evokes strong visual imagery of voracious consumption and relentless pursuit of desires, indicating a sense of unrestrained appetence.