Greed is a powerful emotion that can take over people’s actions and decisions. When someone is greedy, they often want more than they need, whether it’s money, food, power, or attention. But sometimes, explaining just how greedy someone feels can be tricky, and that’s where similes come in.
Similes use the words “like” or “as” to make vivid comparisons, helping us describe feelings in a creative and relatable way. By using similes for greed, we can better understand and communicate the depth of this desire in colorful, memorable ways. In this article, you’ll explore many similes that bring the concept of greed to life, making it easier to recognize and describe.
Similes for Greed
1. Greedy as a pig at a feast
Meaning: Extremely eager to consume or take everything available.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a pig at a feast, piling his plate so high that the food almost toppled off.
Other Ways to Say: Hungry for more, Taking without limit
2. Greedy as a child with candy
Meaning: Overeager to grab as much as possible, especially something delightful.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a child with candy, scooping up all the sweets before anyone else had a chance.
Other Ways to Say: Grabbing without thinking, Filling up fast
3. Greedy as a dog with a bone
Meaning: Fiercely protective and unwilling to share once something is obtained.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a dog with a bone, clutching his prize tightly and glaring at anyone who came too close.
Other Ways to Say: Clinging to possessions, Guarding jealously
4. Greedy as a squirrel in autumn
Meaning: Hoarding excessively in preparation for future needs, even beyond necessity.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a squirrel in autumn, stuffing her closet with more clothes than she could ever wear.
Other Ways to Say: Stockpiling unnecessarily, Gathering endlessly
5. Greedy as a dragon with gold
Meaning: Obsessed with collecting and keeping treasures without ever using them.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a dragon with gold, admiring his growing fortune but never spending a single penny.
Other Ways to Say: Hoarding wealth, Obsessed with possessions
6. Greedy as a shark smelling blood
Meaning: Swift and relentless in pursuit of what is desired.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a shark smelling blood, jumping at every opportunity to grab the best deals before anyone else could.
Other Ways to Say: Ruthlessly seeking gain, Quick to snatch
7. Greedy as a cat with cream
Meaning: Delighting in luxury and wanting more even after being satisfied.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a cat with cream, savoring his success yet always searching for a bigger prize.
Other Ways to Say: Never fully satisfied, Always wanting extra
8. Greedy as a goat in a garden
Meaning: Devouring everything indiscriminately without any thought of leaving some behind.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a goat in a garden, clearing the buffet table as if it was a personal challenge.
Other Ways to Say: Devouring thoughtlessly, Taking it all
9. Greedy as a crow with shiny objects
Meaning: Attracted to and collecting things just for their appeal, even without real need.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a crow with shiny objects, gathering trinkets he had no use for but couldn’t resist.
Other Ways to Say: Chasing glitter, Grabbing for attraction
10. Greedy as a miner chasing gold
Meaning: Driven by dreams of wealth, willing to go to great lengths for gain.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a miner chasing gold, pouring all her energy into finding the next big payday.
Other Ways to Say: Relentlessly seeking fortune, Digging for riches
11. Greedy as a spider trapping flies
Meaning: Setting traps and patiently waiting to capture everything that comes close.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a spider trapping flies, patiently weaving his web to catch every opportunity that came his way.
Other Ways to Say: Laying traps for gain, Patiently gathering
12. Greedy as a bee hoarding nectar
Meaning: Relentlessly collecting even when abundance is already assured.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a bee hoarding nectar, working tirelessly to gather more than she could ever use.
Other Ways to Say: Over-accumulating, Storing without end
13. Greedy as a fox in a henhouse
Meaning: Seizing an opportunity to take as much as possible without restraint.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a fox in a henhouse, raiding the stockroom like it was his personal treasure chest.
Other Ways to Say: Unrestrained grabbing, Predatory collecting
14. Greedy as a magpie collecting trinkets
Meaning: Obsessed with acquiring things purely for their appearance or novelty.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a magpie collecting trinkets, decorating her room with every shiny thing she could find.
Other Ways to Say: Fascinated with things, Grabbing for beauty
15. Greedy as a king counting coins
Meaning: Always wanting more wealth even when already rich.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a king counting coins, stacking his riches higher and higher with a gleam in his eye.
Other Ways to Say: Craving endless wealth, Never satisfied with riches
16. Greedy as a snake swallowing prey
Meaning: Taking in more than necessary without hesitation.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a snake swallowing prey, devouring every slice of pizza without leaving a crumb behind.
Other Ways to Say: Consuming without care, Taking it all in
17. Greedy as a bear before hibernation
Meaning: Gathering and consuming as much as possible in preparation for future needs.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a bear before hibernation, grabbing armfuls of groceries as if the store would never reopen.
Other Ways to Say: Stocking up wildly, Hoarding supplies
18. Greedy as a gambler at the table
Meaning: Always risking more to gain more, even when enough has already been won.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a gambler at the table, chasing the thrill of victory long after she should have walked away.
Other Ways to Say: Pushing luck, Risking too much
19. Greedy as a fish snapping at bait
Meaning: Quickly and thoughtlessly grabbing at any opportunity, even if it’s dangerous.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a fish snapping at bait, lunging at every new offer without thinking of the consequences.
Other Ways to Say: Reacting impulsively, Biting without thinking
20. Greedy as a mouse in a cheese factory
Meaning: Surrounded by temptation and unable to resist taking more.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a mouse in a cheese factory, sneaking every piece she could find into her pockets.
Other Ways to Say: Overwhelmed by temptation, Grabbing all within reach
21. Greedy as a wolf among sheep
Meaning: Taking advantage of the defenseless without mercy.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a wolf among sheep, exploiting every weakness he could find for his own gain.
Other Ways to Say: Preying on the weak, Ruthless in pursuit
22. Greedy as a rat in a grain silo
Meaning: Surrounded by abundance and unwilling to stop taking.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a rat in a grain silo, stuffing herself with so much she could barely move.
Other Ways to Say: Gorging endlessly, Surrounded by plenty
23. Greedy as a vampire thirsting for blood
Meaning: An insatiable hunger that cannot be quenched.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a vampire thirsting for blood, always wanting more no matter how much he already had.
Other Ways to Say: Unquenchable desire, Forever craving
24. Greedy as a child hoarding toys
Meaning: Clinging to possessions selfishly and refusing to share.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a child hoarding toys, gathering them into a pile and refusing to let anyone else touch them.
Other Ways to Say: Selfishly keeping, Clutching possessions
25. Greedy as a lion over its kill
Meaning: Fiercely protecting gains and unwilling to share a single part.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a lion over its kill, snarling at anyone who dared to come near his winnings.
Other Ways to Say: Guarding jealously, Possessive over prizes
26. Greedy as a tourist buying souvenirs
Meaning: Eager to grab up as many items as possible, regardless of value.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a tourist buying souvenirs, filling her suitcase with trinkets she barely had room for.
Other Ways to Say: Buying impulsively, Grabbing for keepsakes
27. Greedy as a banker counting interest
Meaning: Focused only on growing wealth with little concern for anything else.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a banker counting interest, smiling wider as every penny piled higher.
Other Ways to Say: Obsessed with profits, Focused on gain
28. Greedy as a cactus drinking rain
Meaning: Absorbing everything offered after a long wait without moderation.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a cactus drinking rain, taking in more than she needed just because the opportunity finally arrived.
Other Ways to Say: Absorbing hungrily, Taking without restraint
29. Greedy as a moth to a flame
Meaning: Drawn irresistibly toward what tempts you and consuming it without regard for danger.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a moth to a flame, flitting from one shiny opportunity to the next until his pockets were stuffed beyond capacity.
Other Ways to Say: Drawn by temptation, Unable to resist
30. Greedy as a fly at a picnic
Meaning: Swarming and devouring everything in sight without restraint.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a fly at a picnic, landing on every plate and scooping up morsels as if nothing else existed.
Other Ways to Say: Swarming for gain, Overwhelmed by temptation
31. Greedy as a horse at the trough
Meaning: Eating or taking with such eagerness that you leave nothing behind.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a horse at the trough, stuffing hay and grain into his mouth until the pile was wiped clean.
Other Ways to Say: Devouring everything, Leaving nothing
32. Greedy as a sponge soaking up water
Meaning: Absorbing everything offered without knowing when to stop.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a sponge soaking up water, soaking in praise and attention until there was none left for anyone else.
Other Ways to Say: Absorbing relentlessly, Taking it all in
33. Greedy as a desert taking every drop of rain
Meaning: Consuming all resources after a long drought without any moderation.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a desert taking every drop of rain, grabbing every cent of profit as soon as it fell into his hands.
Other Ways to Say: Gorging on opportunity, Leaving nothing behind
34. Greedy as a vacuum cleaner sucking dust
Meaning: Pulling in everything in your path, big or small, without discrimination.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a vacuum cleaner sucking dust, hoovering up files and funds until the office was left empty.
Other Ways to Say: Sucking in all, Consuming indiscriminately
35. Greedy as a hoarder filling the attic
Meaning: Collecting and keeping so much that space and need no longer matter.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a hoarder filling the attic, stacking boxes and belongings until there was barely room to move.
Other Ways to Say: Stockpiling excessively, Cluttering endlessly
36. Greedy as a piranha in a feeding frenzy
Meaning: Attacking voraciously and grabbing as much as possible in a chaotic rush.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a piranha in a feeding frenzy, lunging at every bargain with razor-sharp focus and no mercy.
Other Ways to Say: Rushing for gain, Attacking relentlessly
37. Greedy as a crocodile snapping at fish
Meaning: Snatching what you want with sudden force and never letting go.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a crocodile snapping at fish, closing his jaws on every deal and refusing to budge until he got his share.
Other Ways to Say: Snatching ruthlessly, Holding on fiercely
38. Greedy as a colony of ants on a sugar pile
Meaning: Working together to take everything in sight, even if it’s more than you need.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a colony of ants on a sugar pile, swarming her inbox and grabbing every lead she could find.
Other Ways to Say: Swarming for profit, Collecting collectively
39. Greedy as ivy covering a wall
Meaning: Spreading outward to take over every available surface.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as ivy covering a wall, extending his influence and grabbing assets until there was no room for competition.
Other Ways to Say: Spreading uncontrollably, Covering everything
40. Greedy as a slug in a lettuce patch
Meaning: Quietly consuming everything in your path, leaving a trail of empty space.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a slug in a lettuce patch, sliding from head to head and devouring leaf after leaf without making a sound.
Other Ways to Say: Slithering for gain, Quietly consuming
41. Greedy as a bonfire devouring wood
Meaning: Burning through resources with fierce appetite and leaving nothing behind.
In a Sentence: He was greedy as a bonfire devouring wood, consuming profits faster than they could be replaced.
Other Ways to Say: Burning through assets, Consuming voraciously
42. Greedy as a wildfire eating the forest
Meaning: Spreading quickly and consuming everything in its path without discrimination.
In a Sentence: She was greedy as a wildfire eating the forest, engulfing opportunities and leaving devastation in her wake.
Other Ways to Say: Spreading uncontrollably, Devouring everything
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the simile noun that best completes each sentence:
- When I won the lottery, I felt as greedy as a _______.
- At the office buffet, she was as greedy as a _______.
- During Black Friday, shoppers were as greedy as a _______.
- He raided the dessert cart, greedy as a _______.
- She grabbed every handshake at the mixer, greedy as a _______.
- At the clearance sale, he was as greedy as a _______.
- When the new game console arrived, he boxed it up like a _______.
- She collected all the bonus points, greedy as a _______.
- He emptied the snack table, greedy as a _______.
- When the grant money was announced, the researcher felt as greedy as a _______.
- During tax season, the accountant was as greedy as a _______.
- In the treasure hunt, she was as greedy as a _______.
Answers
moth, fly, ants, slug, crocodile, desert, vacuum cleaner, hoarder, piranha, bonfire, ivy, wildfire
Conclusion
Similes for greed help us paint vivid pictures of how insatiable desire can be, whether it’s drawing us like a moth to a flame or consuming everything like a wildfire in the forest. By practicing these comparisons, you’ll gain fresh ways to describe greed in your writing and conversation. Try filling in the blanks above, then challenge yourself to craft your own sentences using these similes—and watch how much more colorful your descriptions become!
