philanthropists

noun

plural of philanthropist
as in donors
a wealthy person who gives money and time to help make life better for other people a philanthropist known to generously donate to those organizations that help the poor

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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 philanthropists Growing support for the arts in small town America, funded by philanthropists including the Carnegie Foundation, created more opportunities for Wood to make work that felt characteristic of his region. — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Relatives, employers, philanthropists, government organizations and charitable groups can make deposits, including company stock, into the accounts. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 The opportunity for this generation of philanthropists is not simply to give more. — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026 So as this third wave of philanthropy comes to shore, let’s rally around these new philanthropists. — Melissa Stevens, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 At the suggestion of local philanthropists Mark and Robin Seigle, members were planning to donate any funding left beyond the above to create an arts scholarship at ECC in memory of Jones and Hamilton Wings. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The centerpiece of the expansion will be a 1,000-seat concert hall named for Pasadena philanthropists Terri and Jerry Kohl with an in-the-round design meant to create intimacy between the performers and the audience. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 This gift is a big swing from one of the country’s most influential business leaders and philanthropists. — Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026 Since then, Scott has become one of the world’s leading philanthropists, dedicating a large portion of her fortune to progressive causes, particularly the defense of LGBTQ+ rights and environmental protection. — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 27 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
  1. donors
  2. benefactors
  3. donators
Noun
  • One of the biggest financial backers of the measure is the political nonprofit Building a Better California, which has been fighting the billionaire’s tax with help from wealthy donors, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Such spending can help finance advertising, voter outreach and other campaign activities, giving major donors a significant financial presence in elections.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of donors
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of benefactors
Noun
  • That’s the gold standard of cancer designations that allows patients and donators alike to understand Sylvester’s standards.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
Definition of donators

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Cite this Entry

“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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