Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person whose primary interest or motivation in life is making money: A "moneygrubber" is someone who is excessively focused on acquiring wealth, often to the exclusion of other values or considerations. The term typically carries a negative connotation, implying greed or a single-minded, unscrupulous pursuit of financial gain.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He was seen as a ruthless moneygrubber who would do anything for a profit.
  • The novel's villain is a classic moneygrubber, caring for nothing but his fortune.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a critical or disapproving context to highlight a perceived moral deficiency in a person's character, contrasting the pursuit of money with virtues like generosity, artistry, or community spirit.
  • The politician was accused of being a moneygrubber, more interested in campaign donations than public service.

Variants and Related Words

• Moneygrubbing (noun or adjective): The act or characteristic of being a moneygrubber.
  • His moneygrubbing ways eventually cost him all his friends.
• Mercenary (noun/adjective): While similar, a "mercenary" is primarily motivated by money in the context of being hired for a service (especially military), and can be used more broadly as a synonym for a moneygrubber.
• Grasping (adjective): Eager to get money or property; avaricious.

Synonyms

• Miser: A person who hoards wealth and spends as little as possible.
• Skinflint: A person who is excessively unwilling to spend money.
• Fortune hunter: A person who seeks to marry for money.
• Capitalist (in a critical, non-economic sense): Used pejoratively to suggest someone driven solely by profit.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To have a nose for money: To be very good at finding ways to make money (can be neutral or negative).
• To worship the almighty dollar: To be devoted to money as if it were a god; to be a moneygrubber.
  • In his relentless pursuit of wealth, he seemed to worship the almighty dollar.

Noun

1. someone whose main interest in life is moneymaking