Synonyms of benefactor
: someone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefit
a benefactor of humankind
especially : a person who makes a gift or bequest
His endowments … placed him high among the benefactors of the convent. —Jane Austen
a wealthy benefactor

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A benefactor may be involved in almost any field. One may endow a scholarship fund; another may give money to expand a library; still another may leave a generous sum to a hospital in her will. The famous benefactions of John D. Rockefeller included the gifts that established the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Rockefeller University. Many benefactors have reported that giving away their money turned out to be the most rewarding thing they ever did.

Examples of benefactor in a Sentence

With the help of a rich benefactor he set up a charity. an anonymous benefactor gave the school a dozen new computers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Kennedy Center has long been home to hundreds of unique works of art and antiquities, including sculptures and tapestries, donated or loaned by individual benefactors and other countries, CNN notes. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Miami was the benefactor of a second consecutive crazy week of college football. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026 Capital becomes the biggest benefactor right now to the telecom companies. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 Democratic divide As Republican donors open their wallets, some of Democrats’ biggest benefactors are missing from the DNC’s donor rolls. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for benefactor

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of benefactor was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Benefactor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefactor. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

benefactor

noun
bene·​fac·​tor
ˈben-ə-ˌfak-tər
: one who helps another especially by giving money
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