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
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 philanthropists
The aim is to realize change on a large scale with some of the world’s leading companies, charitable foundations and philanthropists.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Years later the compass was created to help direct philanthropists, investors, officials and nonprofits to determine the most effective way to improve access and opportunity.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, Gates argues, the world’s philanthropists must increase their investment in other efforts aimed at preventing disease and hunger.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Completed in the mid-1950s by master builder Joe Pawling for wealthy Illinois philanthropists and socialites George and Marcia Barrett, Holden occupied the digs from 1966 to 1977.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025
And now, a Houston billionaire couple is joining the ranks of these famous businesspeople and philanthropists, pledging to donate the vast majority of their wealth.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The couple were reportedly philanthropists in their Rhode Island community of Aquidneck Island.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Miami philanthropists Trish and Dan Bell, who have given millions to different organizations across South Florida, are longtime supporters of the Foundation and are members of the Golden Angel Society, the Foundation’s premier giving group.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The summit will also host the inaugural Visionary Women Trailblazer Award, which honors philanthropists Bridget Gless Keller and Carolyn Clark Powers.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025
Years later the compass was created to help direct philanthropists, investors, officials and nonprofits to determine the most effective way to improve access and opportunity.
—Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead, Gates argues, the world’s philanthropists must increase their investment in other efforts aimed at preventing disease and hunger.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Completed in the mid-1950s by master builder Joe Pawling for wealthy Illinois philanthropists and socialites George and Marcia Barrett, Holden occupied the digs from 1966 to 1977.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2025
And now, a Houston billionaire couple is joining the ranks of these famous businesspeople and philanthropists, pledging to donate the vast majority of their wealth.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The couple were reportedly philanthropists in their Rhode Island community of Aquidneck Island.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Miami philanthropists Trish and Dan Bell, who have given millions to different organizations across South Florida, are longtime supporters of the Foundation and are members of the Golden Angel Society, the Foundation’s premier giving group.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The summit will also host the inaugural Visionary Women Trailblazer Award, which honors philanthropists Bridget Gless Keller and Carolyn Clark Powers.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
-
But even with an outpouring of support from private donors, Medina said, a pause on SNAP benefits could stretch nonprofits thin.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Large gaps also exist between the industries of Spanberger and Earle-Sears’s respective donors.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The second-most popular reason, at 28%, was not having a relationship with their benefactors’ advisor.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
16 Oct. 2025
-
But the arrangement could create an appearance of a conflict of interest, as Anderson’s office has steered public dollars to a business owned by a family who have been his political benefactors.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share