Definition of munificent
2
: characterized by great liberality or generosity
- a munificent gift
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Examples of munificent in a Sentence
a munificent host who has presided over many charitable events at his mansion
Recent Examples of munificent from the Web
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The best song Oscars category has always been a curious creature, a mash-up of hits, snoozers and misfires, and a munificent source of Academy Awards moments that can astonish, or bore, or mortify.
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Summing up his desire to give a voice to the marginalized and overlooked, the munificent director even ponies up for an electric larynx when one of the brothers is rendered mute after an operation.
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But she was outnumbered by the other witnesses who, in varying degrees, said the pay system is outdated or relatively munificent.
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His many munificent mutterings include: the Shadowy Shades of the Seraphim, the Seven Rings of Raggadorr and — who can forget? — the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth. 3.
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His many munificent mutterings include: the Shadowy Shades of the Seraphim, the Seven Rings of Raggadorr and — who can forget? — the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth.
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This perception reminds us that the Voting Rights Act was not passed as part of an inexorable march toward full citizenship that proceeded from the essentially munificent heart of an exceptional America.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'munificent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Munificent was formed back in the late 1500s when English speakers, perhaps inspired by similar words such as "magnificent," altered the ending of "munificence." "Munificence" in turn comes from "munificus," the Latin word for "generous," which itself comes from "munus," a Latin noun that is variously translated as "gift," "duty," or "service." "Munus" has done a fine service to English by giving us other terms related to service or compensation, including "municipal" and "remunerate."
Origin and Etymology of munificent
back-formation from munificence, from Latin munificentia, from munificus generous, from munus service, gift — more at mean
NEW! Time Traveler
First Known Use: 1565
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearmunificent Synonyms
Synonyms
bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, generous, liberal, open, openhanded, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting;
Antonyms
cheap, close, closefisted, mingy, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable;
Near Antonyms
frugal, spare, sparing, thrifty;
acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious;
Related Words
extravagant, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse;
altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic (also philanthropical);
Synonym Discussion of munificent
liberal, generous, bountiful, munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.
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- a teacher liberal with her praise
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- a generous offer of help
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- children spoiled by bountiful presents
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- a munificent foundation grant
MUNIFICENT Defined for English Language Learners
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