rapacity

USAGE SUMMARY

'rapacity' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means excessive greed or a predatory nature. Example: The CEO's rapacity led to the company's downfall as he constantly sought to prioritize profits over the well-being of his employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year Mr Hohn donated £230m to the foundation, making him Britain's most generous philanthropist.Doing good by being rightCharity and rapacity sit surprisingly comfortably together, both in Mr Hohn's person and in his business.

The Economist

TO DREAMERS in the West, Tibet is a Shangri-La despoiled by Chinese ruthlessness and rapacity.

The Economist

The idea is that, armed with information, once-passive shareholders will curb managers' rapacity.

The Economist

The killer comparison is with Asia, where many countries suffered from the same colonial humiliations and rapacity that independent Africa customarily blamed for its early failings.

The Economist

In the process, the Co-op has unearthed treachery in its own ranks and unscrupulous rapacity in the City.

The Economist

He refers to America's "rapacious income inequality", by which I take him to mean that our level of inequality has been caused by rapacity.

The Economist

Instead, the families' objections have more to do with Mr Murdoch's perceived populism, editorial meddling and rapacity.

The Economist

Politicians have long blamed their habits of short-termism on the rapacity and impatience of the press; they should now be freer to think and plan.

The Economist

In his defence he cites some big thinkers, including Roy Harrod, a British economist best known as a growth theorist and a biographer of John Maynard Keynes, who thought discounting future generations was just a "polite expression for rapacity".

The Economist

Indeed; but what kind of challenge?The present Lords confines itself, beyond detailed revision of legislation, to protecting Britain's constitution and its civil liberties against any rapacity on the part of the executive.

The Economist

Nothing jarring or turbocharged intrudes.Landlust (the title suggests fondness for nature, not rapacity) was launched in 2005 by an agricultural-trade publisher.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rapacity" to describe situations where there is an excessive and often ruthless desire for wealth or possessions. It is particularly effective in highlighting the negative impact of such greed.

Common error

Avoid using "rapacity" when simply describing someone's desire for something. "Rapacity" implies an excessive and often harmful level of greed, not just a normal want or aspiration.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rapacity" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the quality of being excessively greedy or voracious. Ludwig shows examples in contexts ranging from news articles to encyclopedic entries, reflecting its established usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Rapacity", meaning excessive greed or a predatory nature, is a noun frequently employed in formal contexts, particularly news and media and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and commonly used in written English. While synonyms like "avarice" and "greediness" exist, "rapacity" carries a stronger connotation of ruthless exploitation. When using "rapacity", ensure it reflects an extreme level of greed, rather than simple desire. Its primary purpose is to criticize or condemn such behavior, as evidenced by numerous examples. Therefore, choose this word when aiming to express strong disapproval of exploitative or excessively greedy actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avarice

A more formal term for extreme greed or materialism.

greediness

Emphasizes the quality of being excessively greedy.

voracity

Implies an insatiable appetite or eagerness for something.

ravenousness

Highlights the hunger-like intensity of greed.

covetousness

Focuses on the desire to possess what belongs to others.

plunder

Suggests the act of taking goods by force or unfairly.

predation

Emphasizes the predatory aspect of exploiting others for gain.

exploitation

Highlights the unfair use of someone or something for profit.

acquisitiveness

Focuses on the desire to acquire and accumulate possessions.

cupidity

A strong desire for wealth or possessions; greed.

FAQs

How can I use "rapacity" in a sentence?

"Rapacity" is typically used to describe an excessive greed or a predatory nature. For example, "The company's downfall was caused by the CEO's rapacity."

What's the difference between "avarice" and "rapacity"?

While both terms denote greed, "rapacity" implies a more aggressive and predatory form of greed, often involving the exploitation of others, whereas "avarice" is simply the inordinate love of wealth.

What are some synonyms for "rapacity"?

Some synonyms for "rapacity" include "greediness", "avarice", and "voracity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rapacity" a formal or informal word?

"Rapacity" is a relatively formal word, often used in journalistic or academic writing to describe egregious greed or exploitation. It is not typically used in casual conversation.