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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Recent Examples of philanthropists
Baptist Health recently received another significant donation from philanthropists Al and Jane Nahmad, though hospital leaders declined to disclose the amount.
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Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Other philanthropists in certain states have also committed to seed the accounts for qualifying families, and a number of employers have pledged to match the accounts' $1,000 Treasury deposit.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Launched by Blanchett at the 2025 edition of IFFR in 2025, the Displacement Film Fund is backed by a coalition of film industry experts, creators, business leaders and philanthropists.
—Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Over 300 collectors, philanthropists, museum curators and designers came to support the cause, raising $477,000 for cancer care and research.
—Bettina Zilkha, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The environmental movement—green-minded politicians, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, writers, volunteers, and advocacy organizations—has seemed ill-equipped to respond.
—John Reid, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
The building was identified by the student newspaper Washington Square News as Steinhardt, which houses NYU’s education programs and is named after Jewish philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Ray Madoff, a professor at Boston College Law School, is on a mission to inform average income-earning Americans about how the tax code favors the wealthy—including philanthropists.
—Laurie Udesky, Time, 14 May 2026
Many other pledges have poured in from philanthropists and corporate America, potentially expanding the program’s reach.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2026
Sofia Baltodano, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Other philanthropists in certain states have also committed to seed the accounts for qualifying families, and a number of employers have pledged to match the accounts' $1,000 Treasury deposit.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Launched by Blanchett at the 2025 edition of IFFR in 2025, the Displacement Film Fund is backed by a coalition of film industry experts, creators, business leaders and philanthropists.
—Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Over 300 collectors, philanthropists, museum curators and designers came to support the cause, raising $477,000 for cancer care and research.
—Bettina Zilkha, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
The environmental movement—green-minded politicians, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, writers, volunteers, and advocacy organizations—has seemed ill-equipped to respond.
—John Reid, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
The building was identified by the student newspaper Washington Square News as Steinhardt, which houses NYU’s education programs and is named after Jewish philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 14 May 2026
Ray Madoff, a professor at Boston College Law School, is on a mission to inform average income-earning Americans about how the tax code favors the wealthy—including philanthropists.
—Laurie Udesky, Time, 14 May 2026
Many other pledges have poured in from philanthropists and corporate America, potentially expanding the program’s reach.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
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The prevailing wisdom at the time was that the President would endorse Cornyn, Paxton would drop out, the friendly fire would stop, and Republican donors could conserve their funds for the general election in November.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
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Fourth, Europe and international financial institutions need to think less like donors and more like market-makers.—
Ariel Cohen,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
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The three-story facility has been named the Shiley STEM Initiative building in honor of philanthropist Darlene Marcos Shiley, one of the largest benefactors of USD, a private Catholic university located in San Diego’s Linda Vista neighborhood.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
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The orphanage was funded by a group of wealthy benefactors that included Chae-ni’s grandmother.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
15 May 2026
Noun
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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
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/philanthropists. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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