as in benefits
something that provides happiness or does good for a person or thing
hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker
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Recent Examples of windfalls
Supporters have argued that any actions that put universities’ financial windfalls from athletics in jeopardy could be enough to move the needle.
—
Bracey Harris, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Short-sighted selloffs mandated by Washington for short-term windfalls undermine those efforts.
—John Hickenlooper, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
On rare occasions, books expected to be midlist titles become unexpected bestsellers, providing big revenue windfalls for their publisher.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Some filers who itemize tax breaks have also seen windfalls from the bigger federal deduction limit for state and local taxes, known as SALT.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Cue fat windfalls for the traders.
—Wailin Wong, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Two of Wednesday’s three major money Florida Lottery draw games — Florida Lotto, Powerball, Fantasy 5 — brought financial windfalls to three players around the state.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Our pants had been ripped from brush and windfalls, and wads of insulation were hanging out of mine.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Revenue hinges on capital gains from investments, bonuses to executives and windfalls from new stock offerings, all of which are grossly unpredictable.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Bracey Harris, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Short-sighted selloffs mandated by Washington for short-term windfalls undermine those efforts.
—John Hickenlooper, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
On rare occasions, books expected to be midlist titles become unexpected bestsellers, providing big revenue windfalls for their publisher.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Some filers who itemize tax breaks have also seen windfalls from the bigger federal deduction limit for state and local taxes, known as SALT.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Cue fat windfalls for the traders.
—Wailin Wong, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Two of Wednesday’s three major money Florida Lottery draw games — Florida Lotto, Powerball, Fantasy 5 — brought financial windfalls to three players around the state.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Our pants had been ripped from brush and windfalls, and wads of insulation were hanging out of mine.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Revenue hinges on capital gains from investments, bonuses to executives and windfalls from new stock offerings, all of which are grossly unpredictable.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for windfalls
Noun
-
Lawmakers are trying to balance those concerns as the public has pushed back on giving away benefits to a multibillion-dollar sports franchise.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
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The extension come as members of the Service Employees International Union 32BJ continue to urge the city to use its lease negotiations with the airlines to improve passenger safety and reduce employee turnover by ensuring workers receive better pay and benefits.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The clear spirit is believed to act as a messenger, inviting ancestral souls for their blessings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
On Friday, May 1, a man — identified as Vishnu, a native of Kollam — died shortly after transporting an elephant to the nearby Kidangoor Mahavishnu Temple for blessings as part of a festival, local news outlets Onmanorama, The Free Press Journal and News Karnataka reported.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Today’s space industry, too, offers many economic boons, with companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin employing thousands.—
Anastasia Klimchynskaya,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
-
While some experts fear aging societies are storing up economic problems, others say there could be unexpected boons.—
Manuela Castro,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As previously noted, one of the gifts of Russian greats that Saunders most celebrates is their way of locating complex truths in the stuff of ordinary lives—their towns and farms, and their families, their servants; their animals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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The talented Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, who is the 18th player to win at least two MVP awards and the 14th to win them in back-to-back, presented his entire team with gifts before accepting the Michael Jordan Trophy from NBA commissioner Adam Silver.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Raúl Castro also instituted more market-minded reforms, such as offering workers in munitions factories bonuses for high output.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
-
Key person retention bonuses give your most critical people a financial reason to stay, structured to vest at twelve and twenty-four months after close.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Windfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/windfalls. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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