Mercenariness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun

Meaning & Definition of Mercenariness

Mercenariness (adjective)

  1. serving merely for pay or sordid advantage, venal; also, greedy
  2. hired for service in the army of a foreign country

Mercenariness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions

    "she possesses the unmistakable mercenariness of a confirmed gold digger"

    similar: acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, cupidity, graspingness, greed, greediness, 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: Mercenary (adjective)

Mercenary is a different word from Mercenariness. The synonyms below are for mercenary, not for mercenariness.

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

    "they were a mercenary couple, who defined themselves not by what they were but by what they owned"

    similar: acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, grabby, grasping, greedy, 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 Mercenariness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mercenariness:

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

Related Words for Mercenariness

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 Mercenariness

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

Word Forms of Mercenariness

Derived words: mercenarily (adverb), mercenariness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Mercenariness

First known use: 1532

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercenariness

What does "Mercenariness" mean?

"Mercenariness" means serving merely for pay or sordid advantage, venal; also, greedy. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: serving merely for pay or sordid advantage, venal; also, greedy.

What is another word for "Mercenariness"?

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

What are different ways to say "Mercenariness"?

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

How do you use "Mercenariness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mercenariness" in a sentence: "she possesses the unmistakable mercenariness of a confirmed gold digger".

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

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

What is the origin of the word "Mercenariness"?

First known use: 1532.

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

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

What words are related to "Mercenariness"?

Words related to "Mercenariness" include commercialism, materialism, possessiveness, gluttonousness, gluttony, piggishness, appetite and craving.