Definitions
- Describing someone who has an extreme desire for wealth or material possessions. - Referring to a person who is excessively greedy and never satisfied with what they have. - Talking about someone who is willing to do anything to accumulate wealth, even at the expense of others.
- Describing a strong desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. - Referring to someone who is envious of what others have and wishes to have it for themselves. - Talking about a person who is eager to acquire something that they don't currently possess.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a strong desire for something.
- 2Both words convey a sense of wanting more than what one currently has.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a negative trait or behavior.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Avaricious specifically emphasizes a desire for wealth and material possessions, while covetous can refer to a desire for anything that belongs to someone else.
- 2Intensity: Avaricious implies an extreme or insatiable greed, while covetous can indicate a strong desire but not necessarily to the same extreme.
- 3Motivation: Avaricious suggests a willingness to go to great lengths, including unethical or immoral actions, to accumulate wealth, while covetous may not imply such extreme measures.
- 4Usage: Avaricious is less commonly used in everyday language compared to covetous, which is more widely recognized and understood.
- 5Connotation: Avaricious has a slightly stronger negative connotation, implying a more selfish and ruthless nature, while covetous can also be used to describe a more innocent or longing desire.
Remember this!
Avaricious and covetous are synonyms that both describe a strong desire for something. However, avaricious specifically focuses on an extreme desire for wealth and material possessions, often at the expense of others. On the other hand, covetous refers to a strong desire to possess something that belongs to someone else, which can extend beyond just material possessions. While both words convey a negative trait, avaricious suggests a more intense and ruthless greed, while covetous can encompass a wider range of desires and motivations.