Synonyms of generous

generous

adjective

ˈje-nə-rəs 

1

as in charitable

giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

a civic leader who is very generous with his money and time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• charitable
• liberal
• benevolent
• bountiful
• handsome
• munificent
• open
• unselfish
• bounteous
• compassionate
• kind
• fulsome
• unstinting
• hospitable
• unsparing
• openhanded
• kindly
• bighearted
• lavish
• free
• sympathetic
• philanthropic
• humanitarian
• overgenerous
• extravagant
• magnanimous
• freehanded
• big
• altruistic
• profuse
• philanthropical
• freehearted
• beneficent
• openhearted
• good-hearted
• largehearted
• greathearted
• samaritan

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ungenerous
• stingy
• selfish
• small
• parsimonious
• miserly
• cheap
• uncharitable
• tightfisted
• tight
• close
• penurious
• petty
• illiberal
• costive
• mean
• thrifty
• frugal
• spare
• sparing
• mingy
• chary
• closefisted
• stinting
• avaricious
• desirous
• covetous
• acquisitive
• avid
• rapacious
• envious
• mercenary
• grudging
• resentful
• begrudging
• itchy
• grasping
• hoggish
• stinting
• coveting

2

as in plentiful

being more than enough without being excessive

mashed potatoes with a generous serving of butter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plentiful
• ample
• plenty
• abundant
• enough
• bountiful
• sufficient
• bounteous
• adequate
• comfortable
• liberal
• plenteous
• all kinds of
• extra
• rich
• wealthy
• thick on the ground
• aplenty
• lavish
• cornucopian
• surplus
• plump
• prolific
• galore
• copious
• overflowing
• fruitful
• fertile
• supernumerary
• prodigal
• replete
• fecund
• fulsome
• blooming
• profuse
• abounding
• teeming
• rife
• luxuriant
• fat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimal
• inadequate
• insufficient
• scant
• spare
• lacking
• bare
• meager
• deficient
• wanting
• least
• small
• minimum
• stingy
• meagre
• light
• slight
• skimpy
• sterile
• unproductive
• barren
• infertile
• unfruitful

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective generous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of generous are bountiful, liberal, and munificent. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

Where would bountiful be a reasonable alternative to generous?

The synonyms bountiful and generous are sometimes interchangeable, but bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When might liberal be a better fit than generous?

In some situations, the words liberal and generous are roughly equivalent. However, liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

When is munificent a more appropriate choice than generous?

The words munificent and generous can be used in similar contexts, but munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of generous

The property encompasses a generous 7,061 square feet of land, featuring abundant outdoor space and a pool. —Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

Paper capacity is generous enough to keep refills infrequent. —Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

Like Altra, this brand is beloved by hikers who sing the praises of a generous toe box. —Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025

Inside, rooms feel generous thanks to soaring ceilings and plentiful natural light. —Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025