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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Recent Examples of philanthropist
Unlike the city's public schools, this costly construction is largely funded by one billionaire philanthropist, Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade.
—
Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Philanthropic support for the arts is plummeting, and with the passing last year of major philanthropists such as Gund and Leonard Lauder, there are few replacements on the horizon.
—Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will overhaul a board charged with soliciting donations from the city’s wealthy philanthropists, naming new members with few ties to the private sector in a shift from prior administrations.
—Laura Nahmias, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Upon returning to the United States from France, Jay got straight to work with the help of the Union League Club in New York to rally civic leaders, businessmen, artists, art collectors, and philanthropists.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for philanthropist
Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026
Philanthropic support for the arts is plummeting, and with the passing last year of major philanthropists such as Gund and Leonard Lauder, there are few replacements on the horizon.
—Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will overhaul a board charged with soliciting donations from the city’s wealthy philanthropists, naming new members with few ties to the private sector in a shift from prior administrations.
—Laura Nahmias, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
Upon returning to the United States from France, Jay got straight to work with the help of the Union League Club in New York to rally civic leaders, businessmen, artists, art collectors, and philanthropists.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for philanthropist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropist
Noun
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These include decisions by a hostile California judiciary which, especially in the last two decades, have sided with the government and its special interest benefactors by creating loopholes that significantly weakened taxpayer protections that had stood for over 40 years.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
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The filmmakers reserved their incisive commentary not for Wintour or her staff, but for their notable friends and benefactors The Bezoses.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The committee has raised more than $35,000 from about 50 individual donors.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Last week, a court order forced the release of a contract that hid the identities of donors to Trumps ballroom project.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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While Paytas’ Big Broadway Dream quickly sold out the St. James Theatre, donations of $5 to $25 to the Fund enters donators will be entered for a chance to win a front row pair of tickets.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
23 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropist. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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