Greed is a hunger that never ends—a desire that grows even as it consumes. Through metaphor, we can vividly describe this powerful force, giving shape to its intensity and consequences. From “a fire that feeds on itself” to “a bottomless well,” these comparisons reveal how greed corrupts, expands, and distorts human behavior.4

Whether in stories, speeches, or reflections, metaphors for greed offer emotional clarity and striking imagery. In this article, we’ll explore 25 compelling metaphors that capture the dark nature of greed.

1. Greed is an Unquenchable Fire

Meaning: Greed constantly consumes but is never satisfied.
Example: “His desire for wealth was an unquenchable fire, burning everything in its path.”
Tone: Intense, destructive.
Other ways to say it: A raging inferno, an endless blaze.

2. Greed is a Bottomless Pit

Meaning: No amount of wealth or power can fill the void of greed.
Example: “His greed was a bottomless pit—no matter how much he had, it was never enough.”
Tone: Dark, insatiable.
Other ways to say it: A black hole of desire, a chasm of need.

3. Greed is a Hungry Beast

Meaning: Greed is a wild force that devours everything.
Example: “The corporation’s greed was a hungry beast, swallowing small businesses whole.”
Tone: Aggressive, relentless.
Other ways to say it: A monster of ambition, a ravenous wolf.

4. Greed is a Ticking Bomb

Meaning: Greed builds up until it leads to destruction.
Example: “Their unchecked greed was a ticking bomb, ready to explode.”
Tone: Ominous, dangerous.
Other ways to say it: A pressure cooker of desire, a volcano of excess.

5. Greed is a Poisoned Cup

Meaning: Greed promises satisfaction but ultimately leads to harm.
Example: “Drunk on power, he sipped from the poisoned cup of greed.”
Tone: Cautionary, tragic.
Other ways to say it: A deadly elixir, a cursed goblet.

6. Greed is a Spider’s Web

Meaning: Greed entraps those who pursue it.
Example: “He spun a web of greed, but in the end, he was the one caught.”
Tone: Deceptive, sinister.
Other ways to say it: A trap of ambition, a net of deceit.

7. Greed is a Leech

Meaning: Greed drains resources and leaves nothing behind.
Example: “Their greed was a leech, sucking the company dry.”
Tone: Parasitic, damaging.
Other ways to say it: A vampire of ambition, a parasite of excess.

8. Greed is a Black Hole

Meaning: Greed pulls everything in and never lets go.
Example: “His greed was a black hole, devouring everything in its reach.”
Tone: Infinite, consuming.
Other ways to say it: A vacuum of desire, a sinkhole of ambition.

9. Greed is a Flood

Meaning: Greed overwhelms and destroys everything in its path.
Example: “Their greed was a flood, drowning all sense of morality.”
Tone: Overpowering, unstoppable.
Other ways to say it: A tidal wave of want, a storm of excess.

10. Greed is a Disease

Meaning: Greed spreads and corrupts like an illness.
Example: “Once greed took hold, it spread like a disease through the organization.”
Tone: Contagious, harmful.
Other ways to say it: A plague of excess, an infection of desire.

11. Greed is a Chain

Meaning: Greed binds people, making them prisoners of their desires.
Example: “He was shackled by the golden chains of greed.”
Tone: Restrictive, suffocating.
Other ways to say it: A prison of ambition, a leash of desire.

12. Greed is a Shadow

Meaning: Greed follows people wherever they go.
Example: “His greed was a shadow, growing darker as his wealth increased.”
Tone: Unshakable, ominous.
Other ways to say it: A lurking specter, a creeping darkness.

13. Greed is a Magnet

Meaning: Greed attracts more greed, pulling people deeper into it.
Example: “The pursuit of money was a magnet, drawing him into a world of corruption.”
Tone: Irresistible, powerful.
Other ways to say it: A force of attraction, a pull of excess.

14. Greed is a Ghost

Meaning: Greed haunts those who succumb to it.
Example: “The ghost of his greed whispered in his ear, urging him to take more.”
Tone: Haunting, relentless.
Other ways to say it: A lingering specter, a restless spirit.

15. Greed is a Plague of Locusts

Meaning: Greed leaves destruction in its wake, consuming all in its path.
Example: “Their greed was a plague of locusts, stripping the land bare.”
Tone: Devastating, consuming.
Other ways to say it: A swarm of excess, a hurricane of hunger.

16. Greed is a Blindfold

Meaning: Greed blinds people to everything else.
Example: “His greed was a blindfold, keeping him from seeing the damage he caused.”
Tone: Deceptive, limiting.
Other ways to say it: A mask of ambition, a veil of desire.

17. Greed is a Tornado

Meaning: Greed is chaotic and leaves destruction in its path.
Example: “His greed was a tornado, tearing through friendships and loyalties.”
Tone: Reckless, destructive.
Other ways to say it: A hurricane of desire, a whirlwind of excess.

18. Greed is a Trapdoor

Meaning: Greed gives the illusion of stability but leads to downfall.
Example: “He stepped onto the trapdoor of greed, falling into ruin.”
Tone: Deceptive, warning.
Other ways to say it: A false promise, a hidden pitfall.

19. Greed is a Drug

Meaning: Greed is addictive and never truly satisfies.
Example: “Money was his drug, and he was hooked.”
Tone: Addictive, uncontrollable.
Other ways to say it: A craving for wealth, an obsession for more.

20. Greed is a Curse

Meaning: Greed brings misfortune rather than happiness.
Example: “His fortune was a curse, bought at the price of his soul.”
Tone: Supernatural, ominous.
Other ways to say it: A hex of desire, a doomed fate.

21. Greed is a Dark Ocean

Meaning: Greed is vast, deep, and never-ending.
Example: “He was lost in the dark ocean of greed, drowning in his own desires.”
Tone: Overwhelming, endless.
Other ways to say it: A sea of excess, an abyss of want.

22. Greed is a Black Veil

Meaning: Greed hides the truth and distorts reality.
Example: “His greed was a black veil, clouding his judgment.”
Tone: Dark, misleading.
Other ways to say it: A cloak of deception, a curtain of lies.

23. Greed is a Maze

Meaning: Greed leads people in circles, never providing true satisfaction.
Example: “The pursuit of wealth was a maze with no exit.”
Tone: Frustrating, endless.
Other ways to say it: A labyrinth of longing, a trap of ambition.

24. Greed is a Siren’s Song

Meaning: Greed lures people in with promises but leads to destruction.
Example: “The siren’s song of greed led him straight to ruin.”
Tone: Seductive, dangerous.
Other ways to say it: A tempting illusion, a fatal attraction.

25. Greed is a Caged Tiger

Meaning: Greed is dangerous and unpredictable.
Example: “His greed was a caged tiger, waiting for the chance to escape.”
Tone: Volatile, unpredictable.
Other ways to say it: A beast in waiting, a force ready to strike.

Conclusion

Metaphors for greed help us see beyond simple desire, exposing the deeper truth of how wanting too much can damage everything in its path. These 25 images—such as “a beast with endless hunger” or “a shadow that grows in silence”—turn abstract impulses into vivid realities.

They’re powerful tools for critique, storytelling, and emotional resonance. Use them to communicate the cost of excess and the complexity of human longing in a more memorable, impactful way.