Definition of benefactionnext
as in contribution
a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution the generous benefaction from an anonymous donor meant the animal shelter could stay open

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 benefaction The evening ended with the iconic funk band The Bar-Kays bringing everyone to the dance floor for a boogie to celebrate a night of benefaction. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Mar. 2024 Clear thinking, unvarnished assessments, and reference to those timeless lessons: These are the benefactions that National Review Institute brings to the public square. Peter J. Travers, National Review, 30 Dec. 2023 All the same, today Alaska’s on-a-bun benefaction is a dog made with lean, delicately gamy reindeer. J. J. Goode, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2023 But the full scale of Crow’s benefactions has never been revealed. Propublica, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2023 But the full scale of Crow’s benefactions has never been revealed. Joshua Kaplan, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2023 Its grand eighteenth-century buildings were dominated by the huge Codrington Library, named after the West Indian slave owner whose benefaction enriched his old college. Fara Dabhoiwala, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021 One thing is crystal clear: This industry has been built off the backs of workers who are underpaid, who have to depend on your benefaction. Corby Kummer, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2020 Major donors to the $4-million-plus project include a royal benefaction from Jordan's King Abdullah II, and $1.3-million gift from Mica Ertegun to the World Monuments Fund in support of the project. National Geographic, 26 Oct. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benefaction
Noun
  • Mexico is traditionally the second biggest supplier of oil to Havana after Venezuela – but supplies from Caracas have already been disrupted following the capture by US special forces of its President Nicolas Maduro, making Mexico’s contribution even more vital.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • But the contributions of new signings and players returning from absences were enough to get Palace over the line.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This included clothing donations, beach conservation efforts, community programs in Pedra do Sal, and the preservation of the Brazilian flag painting on Eduardo Jansen Street.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The retail space is needed to provide the shopping experience for residents coming in during the weeks and the warehouse space is for accepting goods from distribution centers and donations from the community.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Benefaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benefaction. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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