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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 altruism
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
The Terms of Service of Anthropic’s defective altruism will never outweigh the safety, the readiness, or the lives of American troops on the battlefield.
—Tina Nguyen, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for altruism
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
The Terms of Service of Anthropic’s defective altruism will never outweigh the safety, the readiness, or the lives of American troops on the battlefield.
—Tina Nguyen, The Verge, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
-
As part of a long-standing initiative to grow local philanthropy, Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that encourages the generosity of small and large donations to the organizations that provide support for the area’s most vulnerable communities.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
Build something sturdy enough that generosity becomes a choice rather than a sacrifice.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities.—
David Bauder,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Queen Rania of Jordan opted for a glittering gold Giorgio Armani design for a charity dinner commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Al Aman Fund for the Future of Orphans on Tuesday night in Amman, Jordan.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
As part of a long-standing initiative to grow local philanthropy, Big Day of Giving is a 24-hour giving challenge that encourages the generosity of small and large donations to the organizations that provide support for the area’s most vulnerable communities.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
-
The festival is sponsored by Las Damas, a women’s nonprofit promoting the arts, philanthropy and education.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
