munificence 1 of 2

munificent

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective munificent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of munificent are bountiful, generous, and liberal. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

When can bountiful be used instead of munificent?

The meanings of bountiful and munificent largely overlap; however, bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When is it sensible to use generous instead of munificent?

Although the words generous and munificent have much in common, generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

In what contexts can liberal take the place of munificent?

The words liberal and munificent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

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 munificence
Noun
His munificence and compassion were reliably containing. David Velasco, Harpers Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023
Adjective
Swift danced her way through 149 sets in 22 countries and thanked her crew with munificent bonuses totaling $197 million. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 The white middle class absconded to the suburbs in droves, seriously depleting a once munificent tax base. Evan Kindley, The New Republic, 1 Aug. 2023 Testing these munificent vehicles took us not only to DaimlerChrysler's proving grounds but also to our beloved collection of paved curves, whoop-de-dos, and foot-to-the-floor straightaways in southeastern Ohio's Hocking Hills. Don Schroeder, Car and Driver, 3 Jan. 2023 Carla had no plausible explanation as to why Gianni should have been so munificent. Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2022 More significantly, Rolling Stone wrote a critical piece about country singer Morgan Wallen, reminiscent of Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold’s Pulitzer-winning investigations of Donald Trump’s claims of his munificent charitable donations. Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2021 It’s become popular—even knee-jerk—to write off the difficulty businesses face finding workers as people staying at home, probably sitting around in their underwear, enjoying the munificent benefits unemployment brings. Erik Sherman, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 Like many startups, print-on-demand companies tend to coat themselves in munificent techno-marketing clichés. Roger Sollenberger, Wired, 16 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for munificence
Noun
  • There’s such generosity in the book.
    Hanif Abdurraqib, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In an inspiring act of kindness and generosity, tournament angler Tripp Berlinsky turned the biggest win of his college fishing career into an opportunity to give back.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If the script is a tad heavy-handed in making Clara seem almost indifferent to her mother’s suffering, Touzani is too generous a director not to allow the character some redeeming displays of conscience before the domestic drama plays out.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Downstairs, both bedrooms open onto a winter garden, with the primary suite featuring a polished en suite bath and generous storage.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Earlier, Combs wept as his defense lawyers played a video in court portraying his family life, career and philanthropy.
    Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Women who are leaders at companies and organizations (including philanthropies) with at least $25 million in annual revenue in at least one of the past three years, or an enterprise value of $100 million for private companies and $250 million for public companies can submit a nomination.
    CNBC.com staff, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • OpenAI’s partnerships with major companies and its plans to change its corporate structure have drawn the scrutiny of regulators, including the attorneys general of California and Delaware, who oversee charitable organizations that operate or are incorporated in their states.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The defense then played an 11-minute video highlighting Combs’ charitable work and life as a father of seven.
    Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Munificence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/munificence. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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!