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
-
The money can help cover medical costs, mental health treatment, lost wages, funeral expenses and more — up to $70,000 in lifetime benefits.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
Most of the benefits from larger tax cuts have already been exhausted, Zandi said.—
Alex Harring,Deena Zaidi,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The story lays bare the tensions of acceptance and marginalization that are at the heart of hijra experience in society while also establishing hijras as religious devotees who have divine blessings.—
Charles Preston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
-
Houston calmed himself all night by thinking of his expecting wife and the blessings of fatherhood.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Programs like this are massive boons to parents who are often stranded without pediatric advice in between their hospital visits.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Graduation is a huge milestone that calls for celebration and fanfare — and of course, gifts.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
Let’s take a look at the best unique gifts your dad will love this Father’s Day.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
At the press conference, Rutte issued a stern warning to young Russians considering taking advantage of generous bonuses for military recruits.—
Max Grinstein,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2026
-
Pre-orders are available now for the Standard and Deluxe Editions, with digital pre-order bonuses available for the Standard Edition and additional bonus content included in the Deluxe Edition.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Windfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/windfalls. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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