GRASPING Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of grasping are acquisitive , avaricious , covetous , and greedy . While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," 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 is it sensible to use 'acquisitive' instead of 'grasping'?

The synonyms acquisitive and grasping are sometimes interchangeable, but acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep. // an eagerly acquisitive mind

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

In some situations, the words avaricious and grasping are roughly equivalent. However, avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess. // an avaricious miser

Q: When might 'covetous' be a better fit than 'grasping'?

The words covetous and grasping are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions. // covetous of his brother's country estate

Q: Where would 'greedy' be a reasonable alternative to 'grasping'?

The meanings of greedy and grasping largely overlap; however, greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire. // greedy for status symbols

grasping 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgra-spiŋ

Definition of grasping next

as in greedy

having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions a grasping person who would rather buy a car he didn't need than give a dime to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grasping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of grasp

as in understanding

to have a practical understanding of he just doesn't grasp how important it is that he call when he'll be late

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in clasping

to put one's arms around and press tightly the departing soldier grasped his children a little closer than usual

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in holding

to reach for and take hold of by embracing with the fingers or arms the attendant grasped my arm and steered me towards the door

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in knowing

to have a clear idea of the emergency operator finally grasped what he was trying to tell her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective grasping differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grasping are acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, and greedy. While all these words mean "having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions," 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 is it sensible to use acquisitive instead of grasping?

The synonyms acquisitive and grasping are sometimes interchangeable, but acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

When could avaricious be used to replace grasping?

In some situations, the words avaricious and grasping are roughly equivalent. However, avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

When might covetous be a better fit than grasping?

The words covetous and grasping are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

Where would greedy be a reasonable alternative to grasping?

The meanings of greedy and grasping largely overlap; however, 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 grasping

Adjective

The imperial Presidency: Designs on Greenland, promises to take back the Panama Canal, threats of tariffs on countries ranging from Colombia to Taiwan—how did a President who once pledged isolationism become so grasping? —

Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2025 Multiplied across numerous markets in every state, the LIHTC fuels more and more grasping for cash instead of reductions to make housing easier to create. —

Roger Valdez, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 Unlike most other camp movies, this one isn’t about preserving and revering childhood, but the sloppy, grasping, wonderful transition to adulthood. —

Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 May 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grasping

Adjective

The greedy wizard had an idea to build beautiful hotels and homes.

— Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2025
But that’s not the way of most corporate America, despite the endless pushing by greedy bankers and lawyers who don’t have enough work to do to maintain their admittedly lavish lifestyles versus pretty much the rest of the country’s work force.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025