as in donors
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 philanthropists
Maybe there were other things Donovan could have tried; other sabers to rattle, other philanthropists to approach.
—
Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
Unlike many high-society philanthropists, Sam’s descendants are not distant figures with their names on plaques.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
The organization has gotten a little assistance along the way from a pair of philanthropists.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
The philanthropists, business leaders, and representatives of international foundations who had gathered showed up in force.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Government officials hosted an eclectic mix of wealthy philanthropists, alternative medicine influencers, health tech executives, and medical researchers to discuss a wide range of issues, from Lyme disease to gut health.
—Amanda Seitz, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
Government officials hosted an eclectic mix of wealthy philanthropists, alternative medicine influencers, health tech executives, and medical researchers to discuss a wide range of issues, from Lyme disease to gut health.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Overall, the amount of money controlled by women’s funds remains tiny compared to the assets of major foundations and the largest individual philanthropists.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Mackenzie Scott is one of the world’s most generous philanthropists.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Mar. 2026
Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
Unlike many high-society philanthropists, Sam’s descendants are not distant figures with their names on plaques.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
The organization has gotten a little assistance along the way from a pair of philanthropists.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
The philanthropists, business leaders, and representatives of international foundations who had gathered showed up in force.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Government officials hosted an eclectic mix of wealthy philanthropists, alternative medicine influencers, health tech executives, and medical researchers to discuss a wide range of issues, from Lyme disease to gut health.
—Amanda Seitz, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
Government officials hosted an eclectic mix of wealthy philanthropists, alternative medicine influencers, health tech executives, and medical researchers to discuss a wide range of issues, from Lyme disease to gut health.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
Overall, the amount of money controlled by women’s funds remains tiny compared to the assets of major foundations and the largest individual philanthropists.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Mackenzie Scott is one of the world’s most generous philanthropists.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
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Participants contribute through a buy-in and boost their charitable donation by securing pledges from donors.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501(c)(3) public charity.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The gifts have come from individual donors and corporate benefactors such as JBL, which has provided speakers and equipment, as well as guitar makers Fender and Gibson, among others.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Additionally, these revenue-sharing numbers don’t include third-party NIL payments, which can provide a significant advantage to schools with a large alumni base — or with wealthy benefactors, which has been the case at Oregon (Phil Knight) and Indiana (Mark Cuban), for instance.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Feb. 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
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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