too-greedy
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Excessively gluttonous: Having an extreme, unrestrained, and often unhealthy desire for more than what is needed or deserved, particularly regarding food, money, or possessions. It implies a level of greed that goes beyond normal or acceptable limits.
Usage
The adjective "too-greedy" is used to describe a person, entity, or action characterized by excessive greed. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "was"). It carries a strong negative connotation of criticism or disapproval.
Examples
- Attributive use (before a noun):
- The too-greedy corporation bought up all the small competitors, creating a monopoly.
- His too-greedy appetite at the buffet made other guests uncomfortable.
- Predicative use (after a linking verb):
- The investor was too-greedy and ended up losing everything in a risky scheme.
- If you are too-greedy, you might miss out on forming genuine partnerships.
Advanced Usage
- "proved too-greedy": Used to indicate that excessive greed was the cause of a failure or negative outcome.
- The negotiator proved too-greedy, demanding concessions that ended the deal entirely.
- "deemed too-greedy": Used in more formal or judgmental contexts to state that someone or something is considered excessively greedy by others.
- The terms of the contract were deemed too-greedy by the regulatory board.
Variants and Related Words
- Greedy (adj): Having a strong desire for more wealth, possessions, or food than one needs. (The core word, without the excessive emphasis of "too-").
- Gluttonous (adj): Excessively greedy in eating. (A close synonym, often specific to food).
- Rapacious (adj): Aggressively greedy or grasping. (A more formal and severe synonym).
- Avaricious (adj): Having an extreme greed for wealth or material gain. (Formal, often for wealth).
- Overly greedy: A common phrasal alternative with the same meaning as "too-greedy".
Synonyms
- Insatiable: Impossible to satisfy.
- Voracious: Wanting or consuming great quantities, often of food.
- Grasping: Eager to get or keep things, especially money.
Antonyms
- Generous: Showing a readiness to give more of something than is necessary or expected.
- Moderate: Average in amount, intensity, or degree; not extreme.
- Abstemious: Not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking.
- Content: Satisfied with what one has; not wanting more.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Bite off more than one can chew: To take on a task that is too big or difficult. (This can be a result of being too-greedy for responsibility or opportunity).
- Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs: To destroy a source of ongoing profit or advantage through greed or stupidity. (Exemplifies the danger of being too-greedy).
- One's eyes are bigger than one's stomach: Used to describe someone who has taken more food than they can eat, indicating greed.
Adjective
- excessively gluttonous