Understanding the Question: Finding a Synonym for Greed

The question asks us to find the most appropriate synonym for the word "greed" in the given sentence: "Collection of money through illegal means without any hard work increased the ___________(greed) of the corrupt officials." The sentence describes how obtaining money unlawfully and easily made the corrupt officials more greedy. We need a word from the options that means the same as "greed" and fits this context.

Let's analyze the options provided:

• cupidity: This word means "greed for money or possessions". It specifically relates to the excessive desire for wealth.
• stability: This word refers to the state of being stable, fixed, or resistant to change. It has nothing to do with the desire for money.
• curiosity: This word means a strong desire to know or learn something. It is about seeking knowledge, not wealth.
• reliability: This word refers to the quality of being trustworthy or performing consistently well. It describes dependability, not greed.

Analyzing Options for Synonym of Greed

The sentence focuses on the officials' increasing desire for money obtained through illegal means. We are looking for a word that captures this intense desire for wealth or possessions, which is the meaning of "greed".

Let's examine each option in the context of the sentence:

If we use stability, the sentence would become: "...increased the stability of the corrupt officials." This doesn't make sense in the context of collecting money illegally. Illegal activities usually lead to instability, not stability, and stability isn't a synonym for greed.

If we use curiosity, the sentence would become: "...increased the curiosity of the corrupt officials." While corrupt officials might be curious about new illegal methods, the sentence specifically links the increase to the collection of money itself, implying a heightened desire for that money, not just curiosity.

If we use reliability, the sentence would become: "...increased the reliability of the corrupt officials." Illegal actions are the opposite of reliability or trustworthiness. Reliability is not a synonym for greed.

If we use cupidity, the sentence would become: "Collection of money through illegal means without any hard work increased the cupidity of the corrupt officials." Since cupidity means "greed for money or possessions," this word perfectly fits the context of corrupt officials whose desire for money is growing due to easy, illegal gains. It is a direct synonym for greed, especially in the context of wealth.

Identifying the Correct Synonym for Greed

Based on the analysis, the word that best fits the meaning of "greed" in the context of wanting money and possessions, especially in an excessive or illicit way, is cupidity.

Revision Table: Understanding Synonyms

Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary Related to Desire

Understanding synonyms helps expand vocabulary and improve writing precision. While "greed" is a general term, "cupidity" is more specific to the desire for money or material possessions. Other words related to strong desires include:

• Avarice: An extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Very close in meaning to cupidity and greed.
• Covetousness: A strong desire to possess something that belongs to someone else.
• Rapacity: Aggressive greed; a tendency to seize and take things by force or unjustly.
• Lust: Intense and uncontrolled desire, often sexual, but can be for power or other things.

In the context of the sentence about corrupt officials and illegal money, cupidity is the most fitting and precise synonym for the type of greed being described.