noun
rapacity
ruh-PAS-uh-tee/rəˈpæsəti/
Aggressive eagerness to seize or take for oneself.
The man's rapacity drives him to seize coins despite his existing wealth.
Etymology
The pieces name a grasping or plundering disposition. Rapacity carries that image of seizing by force into aggressive greed for wealth or power.
In context
is not this rapacity is not this extortion would Germany charge America $200,000 for two missionaries and shake the mailed fist in her face and send warships and send soldiers
More examples
- The invaders show their rapacity by stripping villages of food and valuables.
- Her rapacity for power leaves no room for compromise.
- The company pursues the region's mineral wealth with unchecked rapacity.
Forms
rapacity
rapacious adjective — Aggressively greedy for wealth or power.
Similar words
- greed
- A strong desire for more, without necessarily seizing anything.
- avarice
- Specifically emphasizes an excessive desire to accumulate money or wealth.