Acquisitive
adjective
Strongly wanting to have or get things.
An acquisitive society in which everyone is obsessed with their level of material wealth.
Often appears as...
- acquisitive society
- acquisitive person
adjective
In the law field, it means getting property or rights over something.
The acquisitive prescription must be realized through unbroken possession.
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
adjective
Strongly wanting to have or get things.
An acquisitive society in which everyone is obsessed with their level of material wealth.
Often appears as...
- acquisitive society
- acquisitive person
adjective
In the law field, it means getting property or rights over something.
The acquisitive prescription must be realized through unbroken possession.
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often implies a negative view of someone's desire for possessions or wealth.
His acquisitive impulses were looked down upon by his peers.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Implication
Reflects a society focused on material gain, helpful for discussions on economics or values.
The novel portrayed the acquisitive culture of the roaring twenties.
Pro Tip 3/3Used for Objects
Typically used for the desire to gain objects or wealth, not abstract things.
She had an acquisitive eye for fine art.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often implies a negative view of someone's desire for possessions or wealth.
His acquisitive impulses were looked down upon by his peers.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Implication
Reflects a society focused on material gain, helpful for discussions on economics or values.
The novel portrayed the acquisitive culture of the roaring twenties.
Pro Tip 3/3Used for Objects
Typically used for the desire to gain objects or wealth, not abstract things.
She had an acquisitive eye for fine art.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often implies a negative view of someone's desire for possessions or wealth.
His acquisitive impulses were looked down upon by his peers.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Implication
Reflects a society focused on material gain, helpful for discussions on economics or values.
The novel portrayed the acquisitive culture of the roaring twenties.
Pro Tip 3/3Used for Objects
Typically used for the desire to gain objects or wealth, not abstract things.
She had an acquisitive eye for fine art.
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Video examples
Lauren Zalaznick: The...
that the animal kingdom, including humans, have four basic primal instincts. You have hunger; you have sex; you have power; and you have the urge for acquisitiveness. As humans, what's important to remember is that we've developed, we've evolved over time
Video examples
Lauren Zalaznick: The...
that the animal kingdom, including humans, have four basic primal instincts. You have hunger; you have sex; you have power; and you have the urge for acquisitiveness. As humans, what's important to remember is that we've developed, we've evolved over time
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Peter York
British Journalist
Tabloid discussion of bad children always blames baby-boomer liberals, careerist mothers and fashion-crazed Nathan Barley types who think it's all enormously funny. But the centre-leftish psycho-thinker Oliver James says it's all down to the Thatcher-and-after culture of turbo-capitalism, making people acquisitive and unsatisfied.
Quote examples
Andrew O'Hagan
Scottish Novelist
The working class of England today have no vision of society beyond the acquisitive - no version of themselves or their habits as anything other than transitional, on their way up or on their way out. The working class, at best, is a waiting room for people who aim to become middle class if possible.
Quote examples
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian Philosopher
All of us have been trained by education and environment to seek personal gain and security and to fight for ourselves. Though we cover it over with pleasant phrases, we have been educated for various professions within a system which is based on exploitation and acquisitive fear.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
It is a paradox of the acquisitive society in which we now live that although private morals are regulated by law, the entrepreneur is allowed considerable freedom to use - and abuse - the public in order to make money.
Quote examples
Vivienne Westwood
English Designer
I'm frugal. I'm not a very acquisitive woman. I never waste food. If you prepare your own food, you engage with the world, it tastes alive. It tastes good.
Quote examples
Michael Shnayerson
American Journalist
For an acquisitive Wall Streeter, the money saved by choosing a practical car can be put toward the cost of some pricier means of mobility - like a plane.
Quote examples
Harold Brodkey
American Author
But death's acquisitive instincts will win.
Quote examples
Peter York
British Journalist
Tabloid discussion of bad children always blames baby-boomer liberals, careerist mothers and fashion-crazed Nathan Barley types who think it's all enormously funny. But the centre-leftish psycho-thinker Oliver James says it's all down to the Thatcher-and-after culture of turbo-capitalism, making people acquisitive and unsatisfied.
Quote examples
Andrew O'Hagan
Scottish Novelist
The working class of England today have no vision of society beyond the acquisitive - no version of themselves or their habits as anything other than transitional, on their way up or on their way out. The working class, at best, is a waiting room for people who aim to become middle class if possible.
Quote examples
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian Philosopher
All of us have been trained by education and environment to seek personal gain and security and to fight for ourselves. Though we cover it over with pleasant phrases, we have been educated for various professions within a system which is based on exploitation and acquisitive fear.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
It is a paradox of the acquisitive society in which we now live that although private morals are regulated by law, the entrepreneur is allowed considerable freedom to use - and abuse - the public in order to make money.
Quote examples
Vivienne Westwood
English Designer
I'm frugal. I'm not a very acquisitive woman. I never waste food. If you prepare your own food, you engage with the world, it tastes alive. It tastes good.
Quote examples
Michael Shnayerson
American Journalist
For an acquisitive Wall Streeter, the money saved by choosing a practical car can be put toward the cost of some pricier means of mobility - like a plane.
Quote examples
Harold Brodkey
American Author
But death's acquisitive instincts will win.
Example 1 of 7
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