CHARITY Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'charity' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of charity are clemency , grace , leniency , and mercy . While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others. // show a little charity for the less fortunate

Q: When is 'clemency' a more appropriate choice than 'charity'?

The meanings of clemency and charity largely overlap; however, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing. // the judge refused to show clemency

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grace' instead of 'charity'?

While in some cases nearly identical to charity , grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions. // by the grace of God

Q: When can 'leniency' be used instead of 'charity'?

Although the words leniency and charity have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing. // criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Q: When might 'mercy' be a better fit than 'charity'?

The synonyms mercy and charity are sometimes interchangeable, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it. // threw himself on the mercy of the court

charity

noun

ˈcher-ə-tē

Definition of charity

as in philanthropy

the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy after amassing a fortune in the computer industry, the brothers devoted themselves to charity

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Relevance

as in contribution

a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution donated his mansion and all of its land as a charity to the people of his beloved home state

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in mercy

kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it can't you show a little charity to a guy who's the first to admit he's not perfect?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune his charity is such that he's a sucker for every panhandler's tale of woe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in friendship

kindly concern, interest, or support Lincoln's famous promise that the period of Reconstruction would be marked by "charity for all"

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun charity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of charity are clemency, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is clemency a more appropriate choice than charity?

The meanings of clemency and charity largely overlap; however, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When is it sensible to use grace instead of charity?

While in some cases nearly identical to charity, grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When can leniency be used instead of charity?

Although the words leniency and charity have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than charity?

The synonyms mercy and charity are sometimes interchangeable, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of charity All proceeds are going to charities supporting Palestine, and Macklemore also donated his $1 million salary from Sheeran’s tour to the cause. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 Baby boomers and older generations are expected to pass nearly $100 trillion to heirs and charities through 2048, according to a 2024 projection from research firm Cerulli Associates. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 Then those games became public under the guise of charity exhibitions, and quite naturally, became the sort of exhibition game that just about every major college basketball team is playing this season. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 On Friday, Filer received a commemorative shield from SSAFA, a British charity that supports members of the armed forces and their families. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity

Noun

Catherine Gros, vice president of art, heritage and philanthropy at Renault Group, noted the factory once employed more than 30,000 people, producing a car every 90 seconds.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Since women place a greater emphasis on philanthropy, and more family fortunes are passing to women, philanthropy is likely to become more central to family offices.

— Robert Frank, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of philanthropy

Noun

Patience and kindness can go a long way, Henderson says, and Seshadri reminds everyone to extend that respect to the airport staff and your fellow passengers.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Be patient when a grocery store cashier with disabilities rings up your items — kindness can go a long way.

— John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

At every stop, Talarico has argued that, for too long, the wealthy and their donations have corrupted politics, and that this corruption has fueled the affordability crisis.

— STEVEN SLOAN, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
What comes next Executives with the South Florida Donor Network say the nonprofit is planning to heavily invest in outreach efforts in the coming months to advocate for the importance of organ donation.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of donation

Noun

In theory, automation in customer service should mean human agents spend less time on admin and more time helping customers with problems that require human judgment, empathy and experience.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
But underneath what seems promising, the beginnings of empathy and maybe healing, there’s something performative and calculated in this fast bond.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of empathy

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charities

charity

charlatan

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Style

“Charity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charity. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of charity

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Synonyms of charity

noun

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