humanitarian 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of humanitariannext
as in philanthropic
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others humanitarian efforts to aid the earthquake victims

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

humanitarian

2 of 2

noun

as in philanthropist

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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 humanitarian
Adjective
The flight cancellations, the daily blackouts and a worsening humanitarian crisis have all caused tourism to tank, with only 359,000 international arrivals recorded between January and May this year, a 58% contraction from the same period in 2025. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced over the weekend that the unnamed patient works for a humanitarian aid organization and tested positive for the Bundibugyo virus, the strain of Ebola that is behind the DRC's outbreak. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Noun
His knowledge and experience on the team was a critical role for the planet's survival and the health of its inhabitants, a true humanitarian. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026 Those actions have generated fierce legal challenges and criticism from humanitarians. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for humanitarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humanitarian
  1. philanthropic
  2. philanthropist
  3. charitable
  4. benevolent
Adjective
  • The expansion is possible because Hartford Hospital received a $250,000 grant through The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund by The Cigna Group Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group go to the Food4Health program.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026
  • Andre Dowell is founder and president of the National Philanthropic Foundation, advancing philanthropic legacy, next generation leadership, and civic understanding.
    — Andre Dowell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Noun
  • The move attracted criticism from former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush, as well as billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • General Atlantic was founded in 1980 by the late billionaire philanthropist Chuck Feeney, who cofounded Duty Free Shoppers with Robert Miller.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of philanthropist
Adjective
  • The American defense was charitable on most, if not all, of Belgium’s four goals last round.
    — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • For almost all of these races there is a charitable angle, a way to buy a spot outside the normal lottery, application or qualification process.
    — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • Dorothea centers on a Sacramento woman (Davis) who ran a boarding house for the less fortunate in the 1980s, but her seemingly benevolent actions belied her sinister motives.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 July 2026
  • That would be intolerable in any other setting – not because every voter or marcher is admirable, but because constitutional rights are not based on a government employee’s benevolent opinion.
    — George A. Mocsary, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
Definition of benevolent

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humanism
humanitarian
humanitarianism
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Cite this Entry

“Humanitarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humanitarian. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on humanitarian

Nglish: Translation of humanitarian for Spanish Speakers

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