do-gooder

noun

do-good·er ˈdü-ˌgu̇-dər

Synonyms of do-gooder

: an earnest often naive humanitarian or reformer

do-gooding

ˈdü-ˌgu̇-diŋ

noun or adjective

Examples of do-gooder in a Sentence

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.

Lee, emerging from the dark woods beyond McMann’s cabin, gets picked up by a guy who nicknames himself the Boontill Oracle, a do-gooder who waits outside highway bars to give safe rides to local drunks. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 Playing do-gooder cop Matt in Heroes is just one milestone on the resume of Greg Grunberg, who has made a name for himself as an affable everyman. — Megan Vick, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 But his do-gooder deeds and mental health problems made the workers inside those trendy bars afraid to speak out about their experiences of an allegedly toxic workplace. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 Ginny just barely survives on some sad do-gooder part-time job. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for do-gooder

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of do-gooder was in 1925

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

do-good

do-gooder

do-gooding

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Do-gooder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-gooder. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

do-gooder

noun

Examples of do-gooder in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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