avarice
noun
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain; insatiable desire to accumulate money and possessions.
Etymology
From Latin "avaritia" (greed), from "avarus" (greedy), from "avere" (to crave). One of the seven deadly sins in Christian theology.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"His avarice led him to cheat even his closest friends."
- 2.
"The scandal exposed the corporate culture of avarice."
- 3.
"Avarice, not need, drove his relentless pursuit of wealth."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
In Dante's Purgatorio, the avaricious must lie face-down on the ground, their hands and feet bound, unable to look up toward heaven. This punishment reflects how greed keeps people focused downward on earthly possessions.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 7 letters (A, V, A, R, I, C, E)
Scrabble Value: 12 points
Tip: Try building from common prefixes or suffixes when you spot these letters.
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