philanthropist

noun

Definition of philanthropistnext
as in benefactor
a wealthy person who gives money and time to help make life better for other people a philanthropist known to generously donate to those organizations that help the poor

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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 philanthropist The move also brings Hauser & Wirth closer Laurene Powell Jobs, the billionaire philanthropist and founder of Emerson Collective who lives in Palo Alto and has long been rumored to be one the gallery’s marquee clients. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026 Tech entrepreneur and Bay Area philanthropist Kumar Malavalli and his wife, Vijaya Malavalli, sold the estate to Evergrowth Holdings, according to the county real estate records. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 The backstory This property opened in 1980 as the first Park Hyatt, a brand conceived of by philanthropist and entrepreneur Jay Pritzker. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026 The historic recipe for Benedictine spread was originally created by Jennie Carter Benedict, an iconic Kentucky restaurateur, cookbook author, and philanthropist. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for philanthropist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropist
  1. benefactor
  2. donor
  3. donator
Noun
  • Schrage was a major benefactor to his alma mater, Valparaiso University, which named him to its Hall of Honor in 1985 and gave him an honorary doctorate the following year.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • The park around the corner lists one of its benefactors as Todd Graves, the LSU donor and CEO of the Raising Cane’s chicken fingers empire.
    — Matt Baker, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of benefactor
Noun
  • On June 26, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) was listed as the in-kind donor of the tickets for a fundraiser for A Bolder Florida, the PAC for Commission Chair Anthony Rodriguez.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Readers of the report may not be carefully attuned to the legal arguments used to justify anti-BDS legislation, but PEN America obviously is and so are the donors who support this work.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of donor
Noun
  • Contributors can transfer stock to the Treasury, which will then invest the funds into accounts in line with the donator’s guidelines.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 6 July 2026
  • That’s the gold standard of cancer designations that allows patients and donators alike to understand Sylvester’s standards.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of donator

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Cite this Entry

“Philanthropist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropist. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on philanthropist

Nglish: Translation of philanthropist for Spanish Speakers

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