graspingly
Definition
Adverb: - In a grasping manner: "graspingly" describes an action done with greed or avarice, especially regarding material possessions or money. It implies a quality of being excessively eager to obtain or hold onto something, often at the expense of others.
Usage Examples
- (She looked with greedy desire, wanting to keep everything for herself.)
- (He bargained in a greedy, selfish way, trying to get as much as possible.)
- (The landlord acted with greed, seeking maximum profit without concern for others.)
Advanced Usage
- "to act graspingly": to behave in a way that shows excessive desire for gain.
- The investor acted graspingly, buying up all available shares to corner the market. (He behaved greedily, trying to control the market for his own benefit.)
Variants and Related Words
- Grasping (adj): characterized by greed; eager to get or keep money or possessions.
- His grasping nature made him unpopular with his colleagues. (His greedy character made others dislike him.)
- Grasp (verb): to seize and hold firmly; also, to understand.
- She tried to grasp the rope to save herself from falling. (She tried to hold onto it tightly.)
Synonyms
- Greedily: in a way that shows an excessive desire for more than one needs.
- He ate greedily, not leaving anything for others. (He ate with excessive desire.)
- Avariciously: in a way that shows extreme greed for wealth.
- The miser counted his money avariciously. (He counted it with intense greed.)
- Covetously: in a way that shows a strong desire to possess something belonging to another.
- She looked covetously at her neighbor's new car. (She looked with envy and desire.)
Related Idioms
- Grasp at straws: to try any desperate or unlikely way to escape a difficult situation.
- When he lost his job, he graspingly applied for every position he could find. (He acted desperately and greedily, trying anything.)
- Grasp the nettle: to tackle a difficult problem boldly.
- He did not act graspingly; instead, he grasped the nettle and solved the issue fairly. (He acted boldly, not greedily.)