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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 The money from beers not claimed will have be donated to a local veterans’ charity. Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 11 Nov. 2025 The few remaining schools are still doubling as shelters, and local charity groups are trying to circulate aid and other basic resources. Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025 Lownie says that Ferguson’s charity work could be the thing that does her. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 10 Nov. 2025 Any beers not claimed will have the funds donated to a local veterans’ charity. Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity
Noun
  • In addition to his remarkable achievements in film and voiceover work, Duke dedicates himself equally to meaningful global philanthropy.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The New York Times reported today that Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s philanthropy, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is going all-in on AI.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The holiday season is usually a big one for charitable contributions.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The philanthropy part will probably be connected to his annual Thanksgiving contributions to family foundations.
    Alex Crippen, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Even though the official Survivor 49 pre-merge emoji might be a big fat yawn (or, perhaps a chicken screaming for mercy), there are signs that Probst did not even need to give his pre-challenge pep talk.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Black families were at the mercy of enslavers who routinely sold and separated family members.
    Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Squid Game is an elimination game, but there are these moments of deep altruism and kindness even amongst it.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The space is charming, and the entire team radiates warmth and kindness.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The complex friendship between Conkling and Arthur is no less engrossing.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Here’s a collection of organizations and aid groups accepting donations to fund emergency relief efforts in the Caribbean.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
  • States, cities and food banks have been ramping up donations desperately trying to fill the gap.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In a 2017 oral history of the notorious scene, One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn recalled that the origins of the scene lay in the idea of cultivating some sympathy for the villainous Dan.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Viewers were quick to share their sympathy for the gentle dog.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Traditional holiday themes of generosity, salvation, and tradition are mostly absent here.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The home and collection were simply stunning, and her generosity in hosting a private viewing for our Women’s Fund gave us rare, unrushed time with the work.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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