ACQUISITIVE Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'acquisitive' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of acquisitive are avaricious , covetous , grasping , and greedy . While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep. // an eagerly acquisitive mind

Q: When could 'avaricious' be used to replace 'acquisitive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to acquisitive , avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess. // an avaricious miser

Q: When would 'covetous' be a good substitute for 'acquisitive'?

While the synonyms covetous and acquisitive are close in meaning, covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions. // covetous of his brother's country estate

Q: How does the word 'grasping' relate to other synonyms for 'acquisitive'?

Grasping adds to covetous and greedy an implication of selfishness and often suggests unfair or ruthless means. // a hard grasping businesswoman who cheated her associates

Q: When might 'greedy' be a better fit than 'acquisitive'?

The synonyms greedy and acquisitive are sometimes interchangeable, but greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire. // greedy for status symbols

acquisitive

adjective

ə-ˈkwi-zə-tiv

Definition of acquisitive next

as in greedy

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

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How does the adjective acquisitive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of acquisitive are avaricious, covetous, grasping, and greedy. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

When could avaricious be used to replace acquisitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to acquisitive, avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

When would covetous be a good substitute for acquisitive?

While the synonyms covetous and acquisitive are close in meaning, covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

How does the word grasping relate to other synonyms for acquisitive?

Grasping adds to covetous and greedy an implication of selfishness and often suggests unfair or ruthless means.

a hard grasping businesswoman who cheated her associates

When might greedy be a better fit than acquisitive?

The synonyms greedy and acquisitive are sometimes interchangeable, but greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of acquisitive As Canva reckons with dramatic changes in the market, the design software vendor is getting acquisitive. —

Jordan Novet, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026 The company has already been strategically acquisitive, buying the experiential marketing and events firm Experiential Supply Co. last year, and the Roost Podcast Network from Warner Bros. —

Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026 L’Oréal, which was highly acquisitive in 2025, with deals to purchase Kering Beauty, Medik8 and ColorWow, as well as an additional 10 percent stake in Galderma, among other transactions, no doubt will continue enriching its portfolio in the new year. —

Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026 Retail e-commerce penetration had surged during the pandemic, which brought a rush of acquisitive capital into the space. —

Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acquisitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquisitive

Adjective

Cross, 62, portrayed Ian Hawke — a selfish and greedy music executive and the main antagonist — in the first three live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks films (2007, 2009, 2011).

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The first time, Julian’s children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning) seemed like miserable, greedy wretches.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026