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
  • For the first time since at least 1974, new homes are selling for less than existing ones, and the culprit is a mix of builders getting generous and sellers refusing to budge.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Each bite felt grounded, familiar, and generous, the kind of food that matches a courtyard full of old walls and low conversation.
    Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • The show serves a charitable cause too, supporting FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to raise $100 million through the world cup efforts.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
  • Since 2017, Miller’s posts about players and prospects, primarily on X, have been increasingly interspersed with calls for followers to donate to charitable campaigns.
    Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Munificent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/munificent. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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