Definition of munificentnext

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 munificent The munificent monetary prize of a million dollars will go a long way to help establish the show’s importance. Khushbu Shah, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for munificent
Adjective
  • In the admissions process at many prestigious universities, financial aid pledges have grown more generous in recent years — and more complicated.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 8 July 2026
  • This off-menu special loads an all-beef dog with thick slices of jalapeños and a generous dose of salsa macha.
    Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Munificent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/munificent. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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