1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

eleemosynary

adjective

ˌe-li-ˈmä-sə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce eleemosynary (audio)
Definition of eleemosynarynext
as in philanthropic
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others used his vast fortune for establishing and funding a host of eleemosynary institutions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 eleemosynary Grace LeBay plays a precocious teenage granddaughter, Echo, who is a National Spelling Bee champ, winning with the word eleemosynary, from where the play gets its title. — Joan Rusek, cleveland.com, 5 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eleemosynary
  1. philanthropic
  2. charitable
  3. humanitarian
  4. benevolent
Adjective
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • That would have been even a few more million bucks on top of what already looks more like a philanthropic civic act more than a savvy investment on Tullman’s impassioned part, but an enthusiastic punter can dream.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • To honor that, his family has spent the past 25 years helping people like Ray did, by establishing scholarship funds and through charitable endeavors, including an annual 5K Father’s Day run in his honor.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The store’s profits will benefit charitable causes in areas such as Homer Glen, Lemont, Lockport and Orland Park and support new nonprofit organizations looking to get a start.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • Sudan’s civil war, a conflict credibly described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, has seen violence matched only by the belligerents’ rapacity in pillaging the country’s riches.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • That blockade has perpetuated a humanitarian crisis in much of Yemen.
    — Becky Anderson, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • The Musk Myth How Hollywood burnished the entrepreneur’s image as a benevolent genius.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Stülpnagel drops in, makes vague, benevolent pronouncements, and asks Frank to hide little notes for fellow anti-Hitler plotters.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of benevolent

Browse Nearby Words

elects
eleemosynary
elegance
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Eleemosynary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eleemosynary. Accessed 16 Sep. 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 facsimile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All