grasping

Noun · Adjective
US[gras-ping]/ˈɡræspɪŋ/2 syllables

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. understanding with difficulty“the lecture was beyond his most strenuous graspings”Type of understanding, apprehension
  2. the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles)Synonyms: taking holdseizingprehensionType of controlKinds clasp, clench

Adjective (1)

  1. immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth“they are avaricious and will do anything for money”“casting covetous eyes on his neighbor's fields”“a grasping old miser”“grasping commercialism”“greedy for money and power”“grew richer and greedier”“prehensile employers stingy with raises for their employees”Synonyms: avariciouscovetousgrabbygreedyprehensileOpposite unacquisitiveSimilar acquisitive
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ironynoun

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Grasp′ing adjective

1. Seizing; embracing; catching.

2. Avaricious; greedy of gain; covetous; close; miserly; as, he is a grasping man. — Grasp′wb-a1′>′ing·ly, adverb — Grasp′wb-a1′>′ing·ness, noun

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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