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
Trefethen led a similar portfolio at the philanthropic organization, Coefficient Giving, which is a major funder of the effective altruism community that has sometimes clashed with OpenAI’s vision for artificial intelligence.
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Thalia Beaty,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Providing service to others seems like a good cure for what ails us today — a true lack of altruism and looking out for each other regardless of race, gender or religion, etc.
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Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Advertisement The company has deep roots in effective altruism (EA), a social and philanthropic movement dedicated to using reason to do the most good, including by averting catastrophe.
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Harry Booth,
Time,
11 Mar. 2026
Whether the motivations are development, altruism, returns or security, there is a role and reward for putting energy and resources into this effort.
—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Thalia Beaty,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Providing service to others seems like a good cure for what ails us today — a true lack of altruism and looking out for each other regardless of race, gender or religion, etc.
—
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Advertisement The company has deep roots in effective altruism (EA), a social and philanthropic movement dedicated to using reason to do the most good, including by averting catastrophe.
—
Harry Booth,
Time,
11 Mar. 2026
Whether the motivations are development, altruism, returns or security, there is a role and reward for putting energy and resources into this effort.
—
Ajaypal Banga,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
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But a wiser course might be to emphasize a kind of counter-nostalgia, reclaiming a mythic past for the forces of tolerance and democratic generosity.
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Perhaps subsequent history shows that his generosity of spirit was misplaced.
Noun
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In 2014 she was made a dame, the female equivalent of a knight, for services to the arts and to charity.
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The effort was in support of the charity Molly Ollys, which provided him with play equipment when he was previously hospitalized.
Noun
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An overall rise over the years in the number of Chinese billionaires and the age of many among them makes Cho upbeat about the direction of philanthropy in the country.
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The Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards first launched in 2001 to commemorate the accomplishments of Black talent across film and television, music, sports and philanthropy.
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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