rapacity
noun
ra·pac·i·ty rə-ˈpa-sə-tē 
: the quality of being rapacious
Synonyms
- acquisitiveness
- avarice
- avariciousness
- avidity
- avidness
- covetousness
- cupidity
- graspingness
- greed
- greediness
- mercenariness
- rapaciousness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the rapacity of the Spanish conquistadors was such that they were undeterred by the very preposterousness of the legend of El Dorado
Recent Examples on the Web Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. 
Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Some of this drama originated from plain old oil-company rapacity. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2020 See More
Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Selassie and his compatriots would soon be under the heel of Benito Mussolini, whose rapacity and imperial ambitions had led to the invasion of Ethiopia two months earlier. Colin Grant, The New York Review of Books, 23 Apr. 2020 Some of this drama originated from plain old oil-company rapacity. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 17 Nov. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French rapacité, borrowed from Latin rapācitāt-, rapācitās, from rapāc-, rapāx "given to seizing or catching things (as prey), rapacious" + -itāt- -itās -ity
First Known Use
1543, in the meaning defined above
rapacity
noun
as in greed
an intense selfish desire for wealth or possessions the rapacity of the Spanish conquistadors was such that they were undeterred by the very preposterousness of the legend of El Dorado Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- greed
- avarice
- rapaciousness
- cupidity
- acquisitiveness
- greediness
- avariciousness
- covetousness
- desire
- thirst
- avidity
- appetite
- hunger
- avidness
- possessiveness
- materialism
- mercenariness
- gluttony
- lust
- commercialism
- graspingness
- craving
- voracity
- longing
- selfishness
- egotism
- egoism
- passion
- ravenousness
- yearning
- yen
- pining
- hankering
- piggishness
- drive
- self-interest
- gluttonousness
- itch
- self-centeredness
- self-regard
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- satisfaction
- gratification
- liberality
- contentment
- generosity
- magnanimity
- fulfilment
- fulfillment
- largess
- largesse
- unselfishness
- altruism
- bounty
- charity
- selflessness
- bountifulness
- generousness
- openheartedness
- bounteousness
- openhandedness