as in generosity
feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness
charitable acts motivated purely by altruism In one final act of altruism, she donated almost all of her money to the hospital.
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Recent Examples of altruism
The charity announced the donation on Instagram, thanking the singer for her act of altruism.
—
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025
Yes, the public pronouncements about corporate altruism have waned and many leaders have adjusted their messaging and, in some cases, strategies.
—Greg Behrman, Time, 19 Dec. 2025
But people critical of the effective altruism movement have increasingly singled out the new organization in unsubtle ways.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Robin Hood replaces the character’s intrinsic altruism with a persistent adolescent selfishness.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 23 Dec. 2025
Yes, the public pronouncements about corporate altruism have waned and many leaders have adjusted their messaging and, in some cases, strategies.
—Greg Behrman, Time, 19 Dec. 2025
But people critical of the effective altruism movement have increasingly singled out the new organization in unsubtle ways.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Robin Hood replaces the character’s intrinsic altruism with a persistent adolescent selfishness.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
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San Diego has a long tradition of civic generosity.—
Shane Harris,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Your generosity and creativity are in charge as surprising Uranus shifts direct in your 10th House of Authority.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The region’s Catholic institutions responded to last year’s aggressive raids with an outpouring of charity, reorganizing many food pantries around grocery delivery and ministering directly to communities many described as under siege.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Frozen Ark, a charity, has amassed 48,000 samples, the majority DNA, including the snow leopard and the Scimitar Horned Oryx (a species extinct in the wild), between multiple sites in the UK.—
Tom Page,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The millions in funding included philanthropy, funding for upkeep of Fair Park and rent to the city with funds going toward Fair Park improvements.—
Aria Jones,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Vargo credits the Eskenazis for raising the bar for philanthropy in Indianapolis.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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