benefactress

noun

Definition of benefactressnext
as in benefactor

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 benefactress The company gained a benefactress (Lois Pope), later parted ways and changed names (eventually becoming Florida Stage). — Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026 And how much, or how little, does Belinda know about what happened to her would-be benefactress? — Dan Heching, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025 Breaking down the differences between playing the ruthless crime lord and the polished benefactress, Gasćon also noted that the role of Emilia was deceptively physical. — Elaina Patton, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024 Instead, each week will see the top two queens will earn benefactress badges. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 May 2024 Ross resigned, at Stanford’s behest and amid great scandal, forcing Jordan to take the blame for the decision and defend his benefactress in order to save the university’s reputation. — Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 She’s reunited with the local company’s benefactress, and her own first mentor and supporter, Winnie Flato. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 18 June 2021 Christian Temperance Union leader Frances Willard and millionaire benefactress Alva Belmont. — Lila Thulin, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benefactress
  1. benefactor
  2. patroness
  3. donor
  4. philanthropist
Noun
  • The Pinell Collection focuses on African American literature and is named after a local benefactor.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • After Gretchen Whitmer, the state’s popular Democratic governor, endorsed Stevens last week, El-Sayed explained the choice as the inevitable product of the two women’s benefactors.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of benefactor
Noun
  • Patroness of the United States How did Mary, as the Immaculate Conception, become patroness of the United States?
    — Bridget Retzloff, The Conversation, 2 June 2026
  • His was the first true haute couture maison, his patroness was Empress Eugénie, who made him into her court designer.
    — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Definition of patroness
Noun
  • Virginia offers proximity to donors and national TV studios in Washington; the same options are available by adding a New York City stop on the way to New Hampshire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The United States, once the top provider of assistance to Afghanistan, no longer even ranks in the top five of donor nations.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of donor
Noun
  • The author who became one of the world's most famous (and secretive) philanthropists, is self-publishing a new book.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • More than $60 million was raised for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund through a $1 allocation from every tournament ticket sold, contributions and royalties from the artists and donations from corporations and philanthropists.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of philanthropist

Browse Nearby Words

benefactors
benefactress
benefactresses
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Benefactress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benefactress. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All