Greed is a powerful human emotion that often gets expressed through comparisons. Similes—those little “as” and “like” comparisons—make it easier to capture the intensity of this feeling in writing. From everyday conversations to literature, similes bring greed to life in vivid and memorable ways. In this article, you’ll discover 37+ similes for greed, complete with meanings, definitions, and examples to spark your imagination.
What is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares one thing to another using the words “like” or “as.” It helps make descriptions more colorful, relatable, and expressive.
5 Quick Similes for Greed
Here’s a handy table with five common similes for greed, their meanings, and example sentences.
| Simile | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| As greedy as a pig | Excessively greedy or selfish | He grabbed the last slice of pizza, as greedy as a pig. |
| Like a dog with a bone | Clings to something and won’t let go | She was like a dog with a bone when it came to money. |
| As hungry as a wolf | Insatiable desire | The investors were as hungry as wolves for profit. |
| Like a vacuum cleaner | Consuming everything without pause | He collected wealth like a vacuum cleaner sucking up dust. |
| As greedy as a child with candy | Desire that never feels satisfied | She spent her paycheck as greedy as a child with candy. |
Full List of 37+ Similes for Greed
Below are 30+ similes, each explained with meaning, a short definition, and example sentences.
1. As greedy as a pig
Meaning: Extremely selfish or gluttonous.
Definition: Compares someone’s excessive desire to a pig’s appetite.
- He ate the entire cake, as greedy as a pig.
- The tycoon was as greedy as a pig when it came to land.
2. Like a dog with a bone
Meaning: Holding on tightly and unwilling to let go.
Definition: Reflects stubborn greed.
- She was like a dog with a bone when arguing about her share.
- His greed made him cling to wealth like a dog with a bone.
3. As hungry as a wolf
Meaning: Having an insatiable hunger.
Definition: Greed compared to the endless appetite of wolves.
- The merchants were as hungry as wolves for profit.
- His eyes looked as hungry as a wolf when he saw the treasure.
4. Like a vacuum cleaner
Meaning: Consuming everything in sight.
Definition: Symbolizes greed that leaves nothing behind.
- He bought up houses like a vacuum cleaner sucking dirt.
- The greedy man absorbed wealth like a vacuum cleaner.
5. As greedy as a child with candy
Meaning: Desire that never feels satisfied.
Definition: Compares greed to a child’s endless craving for sweets.
- She spent her paycheck as greedy as a child with candy.
- He collected coins like a child with candy.
6. Like a black hole
Meaning: Always consuming, never full.
Definition: Greed compared to the infinite pull of a black hole.
- His ambition was like a black hole, devouring everything.
- She took resources like a black hole swallowing light.
7. As greedy as a leech
Meaning: Constantly taking from others.
Definition: Compares greed to a leech sucking blood.
- He was as greedy as a leech, never satisfied.
- The scammer clung on as greedy as a leech.
8. Like a dragon hoarding gold
Meaning: Greedy for wealth and unwilling to share.
Definition: Compares greed to mythical dragons keeping treasure.
- He guarded his bank account like a dragon hoarding gold.
- The boss was like a dragon hoarding bonuses.
9. As greedy as a miser
Meaning: Never willing to spend money.
Definition: Reflects stinginess born of greed.
- The landlord was as greedy as a miser with rent.
- He lived as greedy as a miser, despite his fortune.
10. Like a glutton at a feast
Meaning: Overindulging without restraint.
Definition: Compares greed to overeating at a banquet.
- She bought clothes like a glutton at a feast.
- The investors rushed in like gluttons at a feast.
11. As greedy as a vulture
Meaning: Waiting to swoop in and take advantage.
Definition: Compares greed to vultures circling prey.
- They were as greedy as vultures over the inheritance.
- He watched the deal as greedy as a vulture.
12. Like a fire that never burns out
Meaning: Endless desire.
Definition: Greed compared to an eternal flame.
- His greed was like a fire that never burns out.
- She wanted power like fire that never fades.
13. As greedy as a gambler chasing luck
Meaning: Never stopping until ruined.
Definition: Reflects addictive greed.
- He was as greedy as a gambler chasing luck.
- The businessman invested like a gambler with no limits.
14. Like a sponge soaking water
Meaning: Absorbing without stopping.
Definition: Symbolizes unchecked greed.
- He collected favors like a sponge soaking water.
- Her greed was like a sponge, never satisfied.
15. As greedy as a king with power
Meaning: Never enough authority or control.
Definition: Compares greed to rulers’ lust for power.
- The dictator was as greedy as a king with power.
- He behaved as greedy as a king never content.
16. Like ants swarming sugar
Meaning: Rushing eagerly to wealth.
Definition: Greed compared to ants consuming sweets.
- They attacked the stock market like ants on sugar.
- The crowd gathered like ants around treasure.
17. As greedy as a fox in a henhouse
Meaning: Taking more than needed.
Definition: Compares greed to a fox feasting in excess.
- He stole resources as greedy as a fox in a henhouse.
- The politician was as greedy as a fox among hens.
18. Like a storm swallowing ships
Meaning: Greed that destroys everything.
Definition: Endless, consuming desire.
- His greed was like a storm swallowing ships.
- She took power like a storm takes the sea.
19. As greedy as a squirrel with nuts
Meaning: Hoarding beyond necessity.
Definition: Compares greed to squirrels storing too much.
- He was as greedy as a squirrel with nuts.
- Her cupboards were full, as greedy as a squirrel’s stash.
20. Like bees on honey
Meaning: Rushing toward sweet rewards.
Definition: Greedy attraction to pleasure.
- Investors flocked like bees on honey.
- The children grabbed toys like bees on honey.
21. As greedy as a cat with cream
Meaning: Taking delight in selfish gain.
Definition: Greed mixed with smug satisfaction.
- He was as greedy as a cat with cream.
- The banker smiled, greedy as a cat who got cream.
22. Like waves swallowing the shore
Meaning: Relentless, never-ending greed.
Definition: Compares greed to waves that never stop.
- His greed was like waves swallowing the shore.
- She demanded more like waves hitting the land.
23. As greedy as a hoarder
Meaning: Collecting without need.
Definition: Reflects excessive accumulation.
- He was as greedy as a hoarder with junk.
- Her closet looked as greedy as a hoarder’s garage.
24. Like locusts in a field
Meaning: Stripping everything bare.
Definition: Greed that leaves nothing behind.
- They devoured profits like locusts in a field.
- The looters came like locusts, greedy and wild.
25. As greedy as a rat with cheese
Meaning: Eager to grab every chance.
Definition: Reflects sneaky greed.
- He was as greedy as a rat with cheese.
- The thieves were as greedy as rats in a pantry.
26. Like sharks smelling blood
Meaning: Rushing greedily toward opportunity.
Definition: Compares greed to predators sensing prey.
- The businessmen acted like sharks smelling blood.
- She was like a shark smelling blood in a deal.
27. As greedy as a collector chasing rare coins
Meaning: Never satisfied with enough.
Definition: Greed linked to endless collection.
- He was as greedy as a coin collector with no limits.
- Her shelves showed she was greedy as a collector.
28. Like moths to a flame
Meaning: Drawn uncontrollably.
Definition: Greed pulling people toward danger.
- The bidders came like moths to a flame.
- His greed drew him in like moths to light.
29. As greedy as a snake swallowing prey
Meaning: Taking everything in one gulp.
Definition: Compares greed to snakes consuming whole.
- He was as greedy as a snake with its prey.
- Her greed was like a snake swallowing without chewing.
30. Like miners chasing gold
Meaning: Pursuing riches relentlessly.
Definition: Reflects endless hunger for wealth.
- They rushed like miners chasing gold.
- He acted like a miner in the gold rush of greed.
31. As greedy as a crow with shiny objects
Meaning: Attracted to unnecessary things.
Definition: Greed for useless possessions.
- She was as greedy as a crow collecting trinkets.
- His desk was full, greedy as a crow’s nest.
32. Like ivy climbing walls
Meaning: Greed that spreads and consumes.
Definition: Endless, creeping desire.
- His greed was like ivy climbing walls.
- She expanded her empire like ivy consuming brick.
33. As greedy as a furnace for fuel
Meaning: Constantly needing more.
Definition: Greed compared to fire’s appetite.
- The project was as greedy as a furnace for money.
- His desires burned like a furnace demanding wood.
34. Like pirates hunting treasure
Meaning: Relentless desire for riches.
Definition: Greed compared to treasure-hunters.
- The businessmen moved like pirates hunting gold.
- Her eyes lit up like a pirate seeing treasure.
35. As greedy as roots sucking soil
Meaning: Quietly taking resources.
Definition: Greed working in silence.
- He was as greedy as roots sucking earth dry.
- The system was greedy as roots draining life.
36. Like lions over a kill
Meaning: Fighting to take more than needed.
Definition: Greed with aggression.
- The siblings argued like lions over a kill.
- They were greedy as lions fighting prey.
37. As greedy as a desert for rain
Meaning: Never satisfied no matter how much.
Definition: Endless craving compared to barren land.
- His ambition was as greedy as a desert for rain.
- She longed for wealth as greedy as dry soil.
How to Use These Similes in Your Writing
Similes for greed can enrich your:
- Poems: Add imagery to describe insatiable desire.
- Stories: Show a character’s flaws without directly saying “he was greedy.”
- Songs: Create memorable lines with emotional power.
- Essays: Illustrate abstract ideas with vivid comparisons.
Tip: Choose similes that match the tone of your work—serious, humorous, or dramatic.
FAQs
What is the best simile for greed?
Common ones include “as greedy as a pig” and “like a dog with a bone.” But the best depends on your context.
Why are similes for greed popular in literature?
They make abstract emotions vivid and relatable, helping readers imagine the intensity of greed.
Can I create my own simile for greed?
Yes! Just compare greed to something endless or consuming, like “as greedy as waves on the shore.”
What’s the difference between a simile and a metaphor for greed?
A simile uses “like” or “as” (e.g., as greedy as a wolf), while a metaphor states directly (he is a wolf of greed).
Are similes for greed only negative?
Mostly yes, but some can be playful or humorous, depending on how you use them.
Conclusion
Greed is a universal theme, and similes make it easier to express its many shades—whether it’s hunger, desire, or obsession.
The 37+ similes for greed above give you powerful tools to use in writing, conversation, or teaching.
Try weaving them into your next story or poem, and you’ll see how much more vivid your words become.
