Covetousness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈkə-və-təs/ cov·et·ous

Meaning & Definition of Covetousness

Covetousness (adjective)

  1. marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions
  2. having a craving for possession

Covetousness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too

    "his covetousness for his neighbors' things spoils any enjoyment he might have of his own possessions"

    similar: enviousness, envy, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment
    related: animosity, enmity, hatred, ill will, malice, maliciousness, spitefulness
    near: benevolence, goodwill, kindness, sympathy

  2. an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions

    "an insatiable covetousness made her work long hours so that she could afford expensive things"

    similar: acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, 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: Covetous (adjective)

Covetous is a different word from Covetousness. The synonyms below are for covetous, not for covetousness.

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

    "one aggressive bargain hunter rushed to make a covetous grab for the last marked-down TV"

    similar: acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, 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

  2. having or showing mean resentment of another's possessions or advantages

    "a covetous child who must destroy what he cannot have"

    similar: envious, green-eyed, invidious, jaundiced, jealous, resentful, eating one's heart out, green with envy
    related: begrudging, grudging, avaricious, grasping, greedy, rapacious, distrustful, suspicious, malicious, petty, spiteful
    opposite: unenvious
    near: generous, kind, kindhearted, altruistic, benevolent, charitable, well-meaning

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Covetousness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Covetousness:

enviousness, envy, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, cupidity, graspingness, greed, greediness, mercenariness, rapaciousness, rapacity

Related Words for Covetousness

animosity, enmity, hatred, ill will, malice, maliciousness, spitefulness, commercialism, materialism, possessiveness, gluttonousness, gluttony, piggishness, appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, longing, lust, passion, pining, ravenousness, thirst, voracity, yearning, yen, egoism

Near Antonyms of Covetousness

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

Word Forms of Covetousness

Derived words: covetously (adverb), covetousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Covetousness

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Covetousness

What does "Covetousness" mean?

"Covetousness" means marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Covetousness"?

Other words for "Covetousness" include enviousness, envy, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment, acquisitiveness and avarice. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Covetousness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Covetousness"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Covetousness". Common alternatives include enviousness, envy, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment, acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness and avidity.

How do you use "Covetousness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Covetousness" in a sentence: "his covetousness for his neighbors' things spoils any enjoyment he might have of his own possessions"; "an insatiable covetousness made her work long hours so that she could afford expensive things".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Covetousness"?

"Covetousness" is pronounced /ˈkə-və-təs/ and divided into syllables as cov·et·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Covetousness"?

First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Covetousness" meaning "a painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too"?

When "Covetousness" (noun) means a painful awareness of another's possessions or advantages and a desire to have them too, synonyms include enviousness, envy, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy and resentment.