avarice
What does "avarice" mean?
Avarice describes an insatiable, extreme greed for wealth or material gain. The mental image is of someone clutching coins tightly to their chest, eyes wide with the fear of losing even a single cent, prioritizing the accumulation of riches above all human connection or moral obligation. While similar to "greed," avarice is a more formal and intense term, often carrying a moral judgment or a sense of spiritual corruption. It is frequently used in literary, legal, or religious contexts to describe a character flaw that leads to ruin. It is rarely used in casual conversation, where "greedy" would be the natural choice.
"avarice" in conversation
Discussing a villain in a book
The king's avarice was truly his undoing.
The king's avarice was truly his undoing.
Exactly, he preferred gold over his own kingdom's safety.
Exactly, he preferred gold over his own kingdom's safety.
Used to describe a destructive personality trait.
Critiquing a corporate scandal
The company collapsed under the weight of the CEO's pure avarice.
The company collapsed under the weight of the CEO's pure avarice.
It’s a classic tale of corporate greed gone wrong.
It’s a classic tale of corporate greed gone wrong.
Avarice is often used to sound more sophisticated than 'greed'.
"avarice" in a sentence
His avarice knew no bounds.
His avarice knew no bounds.
Driven by avarice, he betrayed his oldest friends to secure the inheritance.
Driven by avarice, he betrayed his oldest friends to secure the inheritance.
The historical epic portrays the merchant as a man consumed by avarice, blinded to the suffering of those around him.
The historical epic portrays the merchant as a man consumed by avarice, blinded to the suffering of those around him.
