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
Pope Francis was a popular figure within and outside the Catholic Church, given his principles of austerity and altruism, as well as his outspoken stance on the evils of war and occupation.
—
Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
Yet Salk’s greatest act of altruism may have been his decision not to patent the vaccine.
—Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
In fact, a study my team published in August 2024 with adults over 50 with hoarding disorder suggests that altruism, a personality trait of wanting to help others, may explain why some people keep items that others might discard.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
Compared with the general population, participants with hoarding disorder scored almost universally high on altruism.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Tessa Solomon For Artnews, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
Yet Salk’s greatest act of altruism may have been his decision not to patent the vaccine.
—Gerald Joyce, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
In fact, a study my team published in August 2024 with adults over 50 with hoarding disorder suggests that altruism, a personality trait of wanting to help others, may explain why some people keep items that others might discard.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
Compared with the general population, participants with hoarding disorder scored almost universally high on altruism.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
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Such a life of snippets from childhood to young adulthood shows the initial foundation of a journey driven by great wine and fantastic food, shared in an atmosphere of generosity and wonderment.—
Cathrine Todd,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
His integrity and generosity of spirit touched everyone who had the privilege to work with him.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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All donations will be sent to local food banks and charities in Lake County.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2025
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By sending toddlers off on baby trains, the Foundling worked to preserve the minority Catholic faith against encroachment by Protestant charities like the CAS, ensuring that Catholic culture would be perpetuated and reproduced across the United States.—
Time,
Time,
28 May 2025
Noun
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Breaking The Power Imbalance The lingering colonial mindset in philanthropy plays out not just in funding flows but in who holds power.—
Victoria Philips,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Their philanthropy goes beyond signing checks, with Sandra Berman in particular serving on multiple boards that reflect her interests, from health care to the arts to education.—
Jean Marbella,
Baltimore Sun,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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