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 Ahead of their nuptials, then-39-year-old Fortensky proposed to the 59-year-old philanthropist with a simple pavé diamond band. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 Parton was an award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman and philanthropist whose influence reached far beyond the stage. — Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 The couple were known in South Florida for their dinner parties at their homes in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove that gathered musicians, fellow attorneys and judges, senators, bankers, philanthropists and journalists. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 As the world continues to reel from the death of country music icon and philanthropist Dolly Parton, the Kansas City area is doing its due diligence to honor her legacy. — Rashad Alexander august 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for philanthropist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropist
  1. benefactor
  2. donor
  3. donator
Noun
  • The Warning were benefactors of this kind of sisterhood, finding open arms from predecessors like Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale, as well as the Pretty Reckless frontwoman Taylor Momsen, and Lilith Czar.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After the group, they were approached by a wealthy benefactor who wanted to help.
    — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of benefactor
Noun
  • Once a payment is authorized by the donor (and not made fraudulently by someone else), getting those funds back becomes even harder, Eva Velasquez, CEO of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center, told Fortune.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The National Kidney Registry launched in 2008 with an eye toward saving and improving the lives of people facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed and number of living donor transplants around the globe and protecting living donors.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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