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as in philanthropy
the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy after amassing a fortune in the computer industry, the brothers devoted themselves to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in contribution
a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution donated his mansion and all of its land as a charity to the people of his beloved home state

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun charity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of charity are clemency, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is clemency a more appropriate choice than charity?

The meanings of clemency and charity largely overlap; however, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When is it sensible to use grace instead of charity?

While in some cases nearly identical to charity, grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When can leniency be used instead of charity?

Although the words leniency and charity have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than charity?

The synonyms mercy and charity are sometimes interchangeable, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

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 charity Former Jackson Health Foundation COO Charmaine Gatlin pled guilty to bilking millions in charity funds. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025 And though some decry his charity as publicity stunts, many have benefited from sudden infusions of cash or medical help. Chris Quintana, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025 Those games attracted an average of 40,000 paying customers, but the scheme prompted an enormous backlash, with some fan groups campaigning to raise money for charity instead. Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 The beloved actor, 99, recently reflected on his life’s work while hosting Vandy High Tea, a charity event raising funds to benefit The Van Dyke Endowment of the Arts and the Dick Van Dyke Museum, which is currently in development, alongside his wife, Arlene Silver. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for charity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity
Noun
  • Lebda’s impact extended beyond the business community, through philanthropy and other projects, such as serving as co-chairman of the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The Florida International University graduate has worked for Google’s philanthropy arm for the past 13 years in disaster response and most recently disseminating grants across the Americas, but left his job earlier this month to hit the campaign trail full-time.
    Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Keaton’s contributions to her look in Annie Hall caused a conflict with the film’s costume designer, Ruth Morley, who initially envisioned a character who wasn’t so fully formed from a style perspective.
    Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2025
  • But perhaps some of his biggest contributions came off the ice.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As Shiva, Afshari is a revelation of steely resolve, a pragmatist who holds fast to her conciliatory principles until a final scene that pushes her capacity for mercy to its limits.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Wounded and bewildered, Theresa vows—silently—never to have that feeling again, never to be at anyone else’s mercy.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What may seem like a spontaneous act of kindness—or a bargain—can quickly turn into a serious financial and emotional commitment.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Her leadership and kindness have made a lasting impact on our school community.
    Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Any book that centers love, friendship, dependence, entwinement, with humor, grace, sadness, pathos, that has such immense warmth and care at the core, is the best kind of book to me.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The podcast focuses on all things relationships — from her personal stories about dating, friendships and families, to interviews with experts in wellness, career, food, fitness and spirituality.
    Emily Longeretta, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign.
    Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Swift captioned her GoFundMe donation Taylor Swift is helping out a young fan in need.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Or our friends might simply offer sympathy and assure us that all would be well—a meaningless consolation, intended only to force us to focus our attention elsewhere.
    Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The writer-director doesn’t solicit sympathy for Polly (played by Dakota Fanning) or impose meaning on her suffering.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When Balistreri's Bluemound Inn posted the news on Facebook, customers and former employees replied to that posting with fond memories and praise for the restaurateur's warmth and generosity.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Your generosity to his siblings in times of need has nothing to do with him.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Charity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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