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
Robin Hood replaces the character’s intrinsic altruism with a persistent adolescent selfishness.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
Perhaps most importantly, researchers need to rethink how altruism is understood.
—Stylianos Syropoulos, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Based on your findings, do these platforms amplify genuine altruism or encourage more performative acts of kindness?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
Perhaps most importantly, researchers need to rethink how altruism is understood.
—Stylianos Syropoulos, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Based on your findings, do these platforms amplify genuine altruism or encourage more performative acts of kindness?
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
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After the campaign collected $1,503,533 from more than 38,500 donations, the organizers posted a note thanking contributors for their generosity.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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If your grandchild attends one of these schools and receives financial aid, check with the school’s financial aid office about how your generosity could affect their aid package.—
Liz Weston,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Wolves of Wiltshire — a small exotic animal charity based in Wiltshire — stepped in to help with the rehabilitation of the wolf-like dogs with help from 8 Below Husky Rescue.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.—
Cami Koons,
Des Moines Register,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Efficiency Just as Warren Buffett keeps a famously low-cost structure in his life and at Berkshire, the Buffett family has learned to make the most of every dollar in their philanthropy.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
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Fast forward to 2026, and what was once a modest tribute has become a multi-million-dollar philanthropy operation, run with her executive director, Janice Chalovich, from Table 14.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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