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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

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 generous Brooklyn and Nicola had a wonderful time and found Harry and Meghan to be particularly kind, caring and generous. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025 The Missouri proposal isn’t as generous as the Kansas law, which would allow bonds to finance up to 70% of the cost of new stadiums, compared to 50% in Missouri. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025 Infused with a generous amount of hydrating passion fruit oil and softening fig-pulp extract, the bullet glides on effortlessly, leaving behind hydrated lips with a layer of gorgeous, gleaming color on top. Sophia Panych, Allure, 15 May 2025 Rear seat space is generous, and because there’s no transmission tunnel, the floor is flat. New Atlas, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for generous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generous
Adjective
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 15 May 2025
  • Plus, a charitable component will allow the good work of Pride LIVE!
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The fruit is plentiful but, as Iwasama points out, not especially tasty.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
  • Delisting Reasons The reasons for taking a property off the market are plentiful.
    Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Some liberal critics on social media say that Republicans did not seem to take issue when the same slogan — or even more violent rhetoric — was targeted at a Democratic president.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 May 2025
  • The ice cream company is known for supporting liberal causes and candidates.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • From his championship-winning basket at summer league last July in Las Vegas to the energy provided during a Heat season with ample lulls, the 6-foot-5 guard taken at No. 44 last June stood as an unexpected bright spot to what largely stood as a dark Heat season.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
  • While the terminology might not be scientific, there’s ample research that lends support to the idea as a whole.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is, equally, a certain childish hope that Vuong’s reader will approach him with the benevolent incomprehension of a maternal figure.
    Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 6 May 2025
  • This allowed people to keep believing in a fundamentally benevolent government despite their experiences.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Generous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generous. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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