Rapacious
[rə'peɪʃəs] or [rə'peʃəs]
Definition
(adj.) excessively greedy and grasping; 'a rapacious divorcee on the prowl'; 'ravening creditors'; 'paying taxes to voracious governments' .
Checker: Osbert--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence; seizing by force.
(a.) Accustomed to seize food; subsisting on prey, or animals seized by violence; as, a tiger is a rapacious animal; a rapacious bird.
(a.) Avaricious; grasping; extortionate; also, greedy; ravenous; voracious; as, rapacious usurers; a rapacious appetite.
Checker: Marge
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Raptorial, preying.[2]. Ravenous, greedy, voracious, insatiable, insatiate.
Editor: Murdoch
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Greedy, ravenous, voracious, predaceous, avaricious, grasping, extortionate
ANT:Bountiful, liberal, contented, frugal
Typed by Agatha
Definition
adj. seizing by violence: given to plunder: ravenous: greedy of gain.—n. Rapā′ces the beasts and birds of prey.—adv. Rapā′ciously.—ns. Rapā′ciousness Rapac′ity the quality of being rapacious: ravenousness: extortion.
Checker: Yale
Examples
- But, eyes no less rapacious had watched the growth of the Mounds in years bygone, and had vigilantly sifted the dust of which they were composed. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Mr Venus's mouth screwed itself up, as Mr Boffin's face lengthened itself, Mr Venus not having been prepared for such a rapacious demand. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The allies, after the fashion of Peace Congresses, frittered away precious time in more and more rapacious disputes; the Bourbons returned to France. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Over the whole slow process of levelling the Mounds, Silas had kept watch with rapacious eyes. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Sow the same seed of rapacious license and oppression over again, and it will surely yield the same fruit according to its kind. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
Checker: Yale