as in donors
one that helps another with gifts or money
an anonymous benefactor gave the school a dozen new computers
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Recent Examples of benefactors
The gifts have come from individual donors and corporate benefactors such as JBL, which has provided speakers and equipment, as well as guitar makers Fender and Gibson, among others.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Additionally, these revenue-sharing numbers don’t include third-party NIL payments, which can provide a significant advantage to schools with a large alumni base — or with wealthy benefactors, which has been the case at Oregon (Phil Knight) and Indiana (Mark Cuban), for instance.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
PragerU has received major funding from hard-right benefactors, including Betsy DeVos’s family foundation and the billionaire fracking brothers Dan and Farris Wilks.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Red McCombs, one of the most prodigious benefactors in UT history who gave more than $100 million to the school’s athletic programs before his death in 2023, famously criticized the hiring of former head football coach Charlie Strong in 2014.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Senators say Meredith O’Rourke is spearheading donor relations for the Freedom 250 group and the White House ballroom renovation project, which is also being funded by private benefactors.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
The Blue Nile signed the deal, moved by the genuine enthusiasm expressed by their benefactors.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 1 Feb. 2026
The Political-Financial Nexus Markets struggle to evaluate central bank appointments when financial ties connect nominees to political benefactors.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Or the benefactors of facing a quarterback with his wires crossed?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Additionally, these revenue-sharing numbers don’t include third-party NIL payments, which can provide a significant advantage to schools with a large alumni base — or with wealthy benefactors, which has been the case at Oregon (Phil Knight) and Indiana (Mark Cuban), for instance.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
PragerU has received major funding from hard-right benefactors, including Betsy DeVos’s family foundation and the billionaire fracking brothers Dan and Farris Wilks.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Red McCombs, one of the most prodigious benefactors in UT history who gave more than $100 million to the school’s athletic programs before his death in 2023, famously criticized the hiring of former head football coach Charlie Strong in 2014.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026
Senators say Meredith O’Rourke is spearheading donor relations for the Freedom 250 group and the White House ballroom renovation project, which is also being funded by private benefactors.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
The Blue Nile signed the deal, moved by the genuine enthusiasm expressed by their benefactors.
—Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 1 Feb. 2026
The Political-Financial Nexus Markets struggle to evaluate central bank appointments when financial ties connect nominees to political benefactors.
—Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Or the benefactors of facing a quarterback with his wires crossed?
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benefactors
Noun
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Government reviews in recent years have also documented instances of improper queries involving Americans, including searches tied to protesters, political donors, journalists, and public officials.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fried said Tuesday’s results were good for her party’s candidates in November, and could convince national political donors to spend money in Florida, which many have abandoned as the state has trended Republican.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That’s the gold standard of cancer designations that allows patients and donators alike to understand Sylvester’s standards.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benefactors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benefactors. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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