Definition of charitynext
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
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 First, charity care standards are often opaque and inconsistent. Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026 The outlet reported that IRS filings between 2021 and 2024 showed that Kelce's nonprofit spent 41 cents of every dollar raised on charity, and more went to management. Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026 His childhood friend Lori Puccinelli Stern once organized a charity auction at Planet Hollywood with future Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026 Unlike other foreign aid programs, addressing Agent Orange is more akin to restitution than charity because the U.S. brought the deadly substance there in the first place. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 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
  • For months afterward, kindness arrived in unexpected forms — neighbors bringing food, strangers offering furniture, friends calling daily.
    Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty?
    Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
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
  • Lilleaas shares her character’s sympathy for the inability of different generations to connect.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • No sympathy for Maduro Maduro, the ruthless dictator arrested with his wife and flown to New York for trial, deserves no sympathy.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
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 9 Jan. 2026.

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