Definition
Avarice is a strong desire to possess wealth or material possessions, often to the point of being greedy or selfish.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Noun
Synonyms
greed, selfishness, acquisitiveness, covetousness, rapacity, cupidity, materialism, venality, avariciousness.
Antonyms
Generosity, selflessness, altruism, philanthropy, magnanimity, charity, benevolence, munificence, liberality.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | avarice, avariciousnesses, avarices, avariciousness |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | avaricious |
| Adverb | avariciously |
Example Sentences
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His avarice knew no bounds, as he constantly schemed and plotted ways to accumulate more wealth.
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The avarice of the wealthy businessman led to the downfall of his company, which left many employees jobless.
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The politician’s avarice had him accepting bribes from corporations, while neglecting the needs of his constituents.
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The rampant avarice prevalent in the society had made it difficult for the underprivileged to lead a life of dignity and respect.
Usage
Avarice is a negative trait or tendency that is often frowned upon in most cultures. People who exhibit avarice are generally interested in accumulating wealth or possessions beyond what is necessary for their basic needs, often at the expense of others. Avarice can be described as the excessive desire for or pursuit of monetary gain, and can lead to selfish behavior and a lack of concern or empathy for others.
The word ‘avarice’ is derived from the Latin word ‘avaritia’, which means ‘greed’. The term is often used in literature or in everyday language to describe individuals who are excessively preoccupied with acquiring wealth, money or any material possessions. Avarice can be viewed as a social or ethical issue, as it can lead to an imbalanced distribution of wealth, corruption, exploitation or other social ills.
The word ‘avarice’ can also be used in conjunction with other prefixes or suffixes to create derivative words or phrases. For example, ‘avaricious’ is the adjective form of avarice, which describes individuals who are excessively greedy or selfish. Similarly, the word ‘avarice-ridden’ implies the presence of intense greed, often to an unhealthy degree. Avarice can also be combined with other words to describe other forms of greed or materialism, such as land avarice, power avarice, or food avarice.
In conclusion, the word ‘avarice’ is a powerful term that depicts a negative characteristic or tendency associated with greed, selfishness, or a blind pursuit of material possessions. It is often viewed as a social or ethical issue that can lead to consequences that affect individuals or society at large. Avarice can be used in different forms or variations to describe different aspects of greed, and is a useful term to bring awareness to an important aspect of human behavior.