WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
ra•pa•cious /rəˈpeɪʃəs/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- overly grasping; greedy:rapacious gangsters.
- Animal Behavior(of animals) living by capturing prey.
ra•pa•cious
(rə pā′shəs),USA pronunciation adj.
ra•pa′cious•ly, adv.
ra•pac•i•ty
(rə pas′i tē),USA pronunciation ra•pa′cious•ness, n.
- given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
- inordinately greedy; predatory;
extortionate:a rapacious disposition. - Zoology, Animal Behavior(of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey;
predacious.
- Latin rapāci- (stem of rapāx greedy, akin to rapere to seize; see rape1) + -ous
- 1645–55
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ravenous, voracious, grasping; preying. See avaricious.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged generous.
'rapacity' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):