Acquisitiveness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ə-ˈkwi-zə-tiv/ ac·quis·i·tive

Meaning & Definition of Acquisitiveness

Acquisitiveness (adjective)

  1. strongly desirous of acquiring and possessing

Acquisitiveness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions

    "the queen's acquisitiveness would not be satisfied until she owned the largest diamond in the world"

    similar: avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, cupidity, graspingness, greed, greediness, mercenariness, rapaciousness, rapacity
    related: commercialism, materialism, possessiveness, gluttonousness, gluttony, piggishness, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, longing, lust, passion, pining, ravenousness, thirst, voracity, yearning, yen, egoism, egotism, self-centeredness, self-interest, selfishness, self-regard
    near: contentment, fulfillment, gratification, satisfaction, bounteousness, bountifulness, bounty, charity, generosity, generousness, largesse, liberality, magnanimity, openhandedness, openheartedness, unselfishness, altruism, selflessness

Related Entry: Acquisitive (adjective)

Acquisitive is a different word from Acquisitiveness. The synonyms below are for acquisitive, not for acquisitiveness.

  1. having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions

    "acquisitive developers are trying to tear down the historic home and build a shopping mall"

    similar: avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, grabby, grasping, greedy, mercenary, moneygrubbing, rapacious
    related: commercialistic, materialistic, philistine, desirous, eager, itchy, lickerish, miserly, hoggish, piggish, piggy, swinish, devouring, gluttonous, gobbling, insatiable, ravenous, unquenchable, voracious, egocentric, egoistic, egotistic, self-centered, self-seeking, discontent, discontented, malcontent, unsatisfied, begrudging, grudging, resentful
    near: nonmaterialistic, altruistic, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, selfless, unselfish, unsparing, controlled, moderate, restrained, temperate, content, sated, satisfied

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Acquisitiveness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Acquisitiveness:

avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, cupidity, graspingness, greed, greediness, mercenariness, rapaciousness, rapacity

Related Words for Acquisitiveness

commercialism, materialism, possessiveness, gluttonousness, gluttony, piggishness, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, longing, lust, passion, pining, ravenousness, thirst, voracity, yearning, yen, egoism, egotism, self-centeredness, self-interest, selfishness, self-regard

Near Antonyms of Acquisitiveness

contentment, fulfillment, gratification, satisfaction, bounteousness, bountifulness, bounty, charity, generosity, generousness, largesse, liberality, magnanimity, openhandedness, openheartedness, unselfishness, altruism, selflessness

Word Forms of Acquisitiveness

Derived words: acquisitively (adverb), acquisitiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Acquisitiveness

borrowed from French & Late Latin; French acquisitif, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin acquīsītīvus "acquired, involving gain or possession," from Latin acquīsītus (past participle of acquīrere "to acquire") + -īvus -ive

First known use: 1835

Frequently Asked Questions about Acquisitiveness

What does "Acquisitiveness" mean?

"Acquisitiveness" means strongly desirous of acquiring and possessing. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: strongly desirous of acquiring and possessing.

What is another word for "Acquisitiveness"?

Other words for "Acquisitiveness" include avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, cupidity, graspingness and greed. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Acquisitiveness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Acquisitiveness"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Acquisitiveness". Common alternatives include avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, cupidity, graspingness, greed, greediness and mercenariness.

How do you use "Acquisitiveness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Acquisitiveness" in a sentence: "the queen's acquisitiveness would not be satisfied until she owned the largest diamond in the world".

Is "Acquisitiveness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Acquisitiveness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Acquisitiveness"?

"Acquisitiveness" is pronounced /ə-ˈkwi-zə-tiv/ and divided into syllables as ac·quis·i·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Acquisitiveness"?

"Acquisitiveness" comes from borrowed from French & Late Latin; French acquisitif, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin acquīsītīvus "acquired, involving gain or possession," from Latin acquīsītus (past participle of acquīrere "to acquire") + -īvus -ive. First known use: 1835.

What is another word for "Acquisitiveness" meaning "an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions"?

When "Acquisitiveness" (noun) means an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions, synonyms include avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness and cupidity.