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as in philanthropy
the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy after amassing a fortune in the computer industry, the brothers devoted themselves to charity

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as in contribution
a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution donated his mansion and all of its land as a charity to the people of his beloved home state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun charity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of charity are clemency, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is clemency a more appropriate choice than charity?

The meanings of clemency and charity largely overlap; however, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When is it sensible to use grace instead of charity?

While in some cases nearly identical to charity, grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When can leniency be used instead of charity?

Although the words leniency and charity have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than charity?

The synonyms mercy and charity are sometimes interchangeable, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of charity Former Jackson Health Foundation COO Charmaine Gatlin pled guilty to bilking millions in charity funds. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025 And though some decry his charity as publicity stunts, many have benefited from sudden infusions of cash or medical help. Chris Quintana, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025 Those games attracted an average of 40,000 paying customers, but the scheme prompted an enormous backlash, with some fan groups campaigning to raise money for charity instead. Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 The beloved actor, 99, recently reflected on his life’s work while hosting Vandy High Tea, a charity event raising funds to benefit The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the Dick Van Dyke Museum, which is currently in development, alongside his wife, Arlene Silver. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity
Noun
  • His dispute with the veteran’s charity was one of several incidents related to Pulte’s Twitter philanthropy that drew him unwanted attention.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The fund, managed by the philanthropy arm of global investment firm ICONIQ and philanthropic organization Co-Impact, will support 22 organizations over the next three years including five in Africa.
    Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Keaton’s contributions to her look in Annie Hall caused a conflict with the film’s costume designer, Ruth Morley, who initially envisioned a character who wasn’t so fully formed from a style perspective.
    Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
  • But perhaps some of his biggest contributions came off the ice.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The adolescent protagonist soon finds himself at the mercy of his imperious uncle, who puts his nephew out on the street for missing a midnight curfew, of which poor Karl was quite unaware.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Combs begs for mercy Combs addressed the court before Judge Subramanian imposed his sentence, pleading for a second chance.
    Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What may seem like a spontaneous act of kindness—or a bargain—can quickly turn into a serious financial and emotional commitment.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Her leadership and kindness have made a lasting impact on our school community.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Any book that centers love, friendship, dependence, entwinement, with humor, grace, sadness, pathos, that has such immense warmth and care at the core, is the best kind of book to me.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The podcast focuses on all things relationships — from her personal stories about dating, friendships and families, to interviews with experts in wellness, career, food, fitness and spirituality.
    Emily Longeretta, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tickets are available for a $20 donation.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Belt said much of the museum’s donations go toward maintaining the 124-year-old wooden building that sits right next to a river in a very humid city.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Or our friends might simply offer sympathy and assure us that all would be well—a meaningless consolation, intended only to force us to focus our attention elsewhere.
    Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The writer-director doesn’t solicit sympathy for Polly (played by Dakota Fanning) or impose meaning on her suffering.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Until then, the museum had relied largely on the generosity of wealthy patrons donating the contents of their wardrobe.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, your talent, and above all, your laughter.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charity. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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