altruistic
adjective
al·tru·is·tic
ˌal-trü-ˈi-stik 
: relating to or given to altruism:
a
: having or showing an unselfish concern for the welfare of others
altruistic acts/motives
a generous and altruistic person
Yet many of the most important institutions in our society—the fine arts, NGOs, humanitarian charities—depend on the generosity of wealthy citizens with altruistic impulses.—
Jonathan Kay
Jonathan Kay
b
: relating to or being behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to the animal itself but that benefits others of its species
The evolutionary theory of kin selection requires that social animals recognize their relatives so that altruistic behavior can be displayed preferentially toward kin.—Science
Science
altruistically
adverb
… one of the first researchers to begin to solve the paradox of how the evolutionary struggle to survive and reproduce could give rise to creatures that never reproduce and spend their lives altruistically helping others to survive.
—Carol Kaesuk Yoon
Carol Kaesuk Yoon
Examples of altruistic in a Sentence
I'm not being altruistic in giving you these books, since I was going to have to lug them with me if you hadn't come along
Recent Examples on the Web
The first is that addressing climate change needs to be viewed through a strategic lens rather than as an altruistic act or even an opportunity for short-term financial gain as with tax credits.
—Justin Worland, Time, 25 July 2025
Sandler, a one-time registered and politically active Republican, is conveying to his audience a traditional conservative message: A life well lived is not a solipsistic one that exalts the self but an altruistic one that places the interests of others above all else.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Invention is not inherently altruistic or even optimistic.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Zaslav’s interest in TCM may not be entirely altruistic: After the day-and-date release strategy disaster of the Jason Kilar regime, the new Warner Bros. Discovery needed to telegraph that its leadership was invested in filmmaking and filmmakers.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruistic
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Justin Worland, Time, 25 July 2025
Sandler, a one-time registered and politically active Republican, is conveying to his audience a traditional conservative message: A life well lived is not a solipsistic one that exalts the self but an altruistic one that places the interests of others above all else.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Invention is not inherently altruistic or even optimistic.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025
Zaslav’s interest in TCM may not be entirely altruistic: After the day-and-date release strategy disaster of the Jason Kilar regime, the new Warner Bros. Discovery needed to telegraph that its leadership was invested in filmmaking and filmmakers.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruistic
Cite this Entry
“Altruistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altruistic. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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