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
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
Wagers about Iran have translated to windfalls for some users.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Then, stars shift again, this time bringing media presence, determination, sudden windfalls, getting clear on your path, and big protection.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Pfizer reinvested its pandemic-era windfalls into a $23 billion spending spree in 2023, targeting new business development opportunities to secure the company’s future.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
In the current environment, carried interest windfalls are increasingly rare, especially for firms that overpaid for companies during the runup in asset values afforded by the easy credit conditions that persisted until 2021.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That go-route strike by the 5-foot-11 receiver created downstream windfalls for the offense, said former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman on his podcast.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Wagers about Iran have translated to windfalls for some users.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Then, stars shift again, this time bringing media presence, determination, sudden windfalls, getting clear on your path, and big protection.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Pfizer reinvested its pandemic-era windfalls into a $23 billion spending spree in 2023, targeting new business development opportunities to secure the company’s future.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
In the current environment, carried interest windfalls are increasingly rare, especially for firms that overpaid for companies during the runup in asset values afforded by the easy credit conditions that persisted until 2021.
—Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
That go-route strike by the 5-foot-11 receiver created downstream windfalls for the offense, said former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman on his podcast.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for windfalls
Noun
-
Far from being a sign of dotage, scientists concurred, music practice in old age confers all kinds of cognitive benefits.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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Besides the obvious, the positive benefits from space programs are extensive, including medical and technological breakthroughs that affect our daily lives in countless positive ways.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On this day families gather for festive meals, and the young seek blessings from their elders.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Praying for an amazing year full of blessings!—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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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Paula makes sure that their hall table is set with the preposterous gifts — exotic fruits, rare cuts of meat — that Agnes has received from potential suitors.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
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Here, visitors can gaze upon the icon of the Virgin Mary, which sits surrounded by gifts from those who come to pray.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To be sure, banks often make staffing decisions in the first quarter, around the time bonuses are due — and none of the executives this week linked their headcount reductions to AI.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Cameron Smith all signed deals with bonuses of at least $100 million.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Windfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/windfalls. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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