philanthropists

noun

plural of philanthropist
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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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 philanthropists Established in 2009, the awards represent a vision of philanthropists Eugene and Marilyn Glick and are a component of Indiana Humanities’ rich and diverse literary programming. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Beyond business, the Fanjul family became major philanthropists in Palm Beach County, supporting hospitals, schools, cultural institutions and civic organizations. — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 The contest is a collaboration between Crankstart, the philanthropy run by Moritz and artist Harriet Heyman, and Lever for Change, a nonprofit that connects philanthropists to organizations. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 But for other philanthropists, extensive overhead often means a tendency to delay. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 Stewart performed at the Southampton home of philanthropists Bob and Lauren Day Roberts to benefit TeachRock, the national education nonprofit founded by Steven Van Zandt. — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 In 2025, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, the married actors and philanthropists, became the first couple to receive the honor. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026 Families typically become philanthropists gradually, often giving reactively without a clear strategy, much like new parents learning on the job. — Kris Putnam-Walkerly, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Hope because listeners, viewers and philanthropists stepped up. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
  1. donors
  2. benefactors
  3. donators
Noun
  • The group's donors include tech billionaire Chris Larsen and several renewable energy companies.
    — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Even some of the bathrooms bear plaques from donors eager to get their name somewhere in the building.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of donors
Noun
  • After Gretchen Whitmer, the state’s popular Democratic governor, endorsed Stevens last week, El-Sayed explained the choice as the inevitable product of the two women’s benefactors.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • Working with patrons Anadol counters that anyone can have free access to the models his studio develops, and that there's nothing new about contemporary artists' relationships with rich and powerful benefactors.
    — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 29 July 2026
Definition of benefactors
Noun
  • 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 donators

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Cite this Entry

“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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