benefactress

noun

Definition of benefactressnext
as in benefactor

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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 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
  • Schrage was a major benefactor to his alma mater, Valparaiso University, which named him to its Hall of Honor in 1985 and gave him an honorary doctorate the following year.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • The park around the corner lists one of its benefactors as Todd Graves, the LSU donor and CEO of the Raising Cane’s chicken fingers empire.
    — Matt Baker, New York Times, 17 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
  • On June 26, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) was listed as the in-kind donor of the tickets for a fundraiser for A Bolder Florida, the PAC for Commission Chair Anthony Rodriguez.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Readers of the report may not be carefully attuned to the legal arguments used to justify anti-BDS legislation, but PEN America obviously is and so are the donors who support this work.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of donor
Noun
  • His organization, Humus, had been hired by local philanthropist Maria Antonia Civita and her organization Verde Scola, a local after school program for disadvantaged kids that had turned into the hub of aid distribution after the landslides.
    — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
  • That amount is roughly one-fifth of what Scott has donated since the divorce, while she’s given away about 40% of her fortune, making her one of the most generous philanthropists in the world.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of philanthropist

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Cite this Entry

“Benefactress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benefactress. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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