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
His wealth enabled him to become one of the largest private landowners and wealthiest philanthropists in the United States.
—
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Rather than taking large donations from wealthy philanthropists or corporations, the approach would be to raise small amounts of money from large numbers of participants.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
The artist shared a close friendship with the late philanthropists Fred and Lena Meijer, whose vision helped shape the institution into one of the Midwest’s leading sculpture parks and botanical gardens.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Other strategies outlined include seeking donations from philanthropists, forging more corporate partnerships and targeting upstart internet providers who may be more willing to get creative.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
This year’s honorees included Isaac Gonzales (Homeboy Hero), JacQueena Matthews Haynes (Homegirl Hero), Lauren Tom (Community Honoree) and philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist (Kinship Honorees).
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
The need for government to step into the shoes once filled by philanthropists like Agnes Gund becomes even more vital.
—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
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Rather than taking large donations from wealthy philanthropists or corporations, the approach would be to raise small amounts of money from large numbers of participants.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
The artist shared a close friendship with the late philanthropists Fred and Lena Meijer, whose vision helped shape the institution into one of the Midwest’s leading sculpture parks and botanical gardens.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Other strategies outlined include seeking donations from philanthropists, forging more corporate partnerships and targeting upstart internet providers who may be more willing to get creative.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
This year’s honorees included Isaac Gonzales (Homeboy Hero), JacQueena Matthews Haynes (Homegirl Hero), Lauren Tom (Community Honoree) and philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist (Kinship Honorees).
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
The need for government to step into the shoes once filled by philanthropists like Agnes Gund becomes even more vital.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
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The dinner was held under Queen Rania’s patronage, and the event honored the achievements of the nonprofit’s beneficiaries, expressed appreciation for its donors for their ongoing support, and aimed to secure funding for a new cohort of Jordanian youth to complete their higher education.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
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The goal is to speed up the distribution of care — including blood for testing, lab samples needed for diagnoses, and tissue used to help match organ donors with recipients.—
Olivianna Calmes,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
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Hire better investors, stewards, and benefactors of the people’s trust.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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While fashion brands or tech behemoths like Instagram typically underwrite the affair, this year Amazon co-founder and executive chair, Jeff Bezos, and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, are the event’s main benefactors.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 May 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 9 May. 2026.
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