Synonyms of generous

generous

adjective

ˈje-nə-rəs 

1

as in charitable

giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

a civic leader who is very generous with his money and time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• charitable
• liberal
• benevolent
• bountiful
• handsome
• munificent
• open
• unselfish
• bounteous
• compassionate
• kind
• fulsome
• unstinting
• hospitable
• unsparing
• openhanded
• kindly
• bighearted
• lavish
• free
• sympathetic
• philanthropic
• humanitarian
• extravagant
• magnanimous
• freehanded
• big
• altruistic
• profuse
• overgenerous
• freehearted
• beneficent
• openhearted
• good-hearted
• largehearted
• greathearted
• samaritan

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ungenerous
• stingy
• selfish
• small
• parsimonious
• miserly
• cheap
• uncharitable
• tightfisted
• tight
• close
• penurious
• petty
• illiberal
• costive
• mean
• thrifty
• frugal
• spare
• sparing
• mingy
• chary
• closefisted
• stinting
• avaricious
• desirous
• covetous
• acquisitive
• avid
• rapacious
• envious
• mercenary
• grudging
• resentful
• begrudging
• itchy
• grasping
• hoggish
• stinting
• coveting

2

as in plentiful

being more than enough without being excessive

mashed potatoes with a generous serving of butter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plentiful
• ample
• plenty
• abundant
• enough
• bountiful
• sufficient
• bounteous
• adequate
• comfortable
• liberal
• plenteous
• all kinds of
• extra
• rich
• wealthy
• thick on the ground
• aplenty
• lavish
• cornucopian
• surplus
• plump
• prolific
• galore
• copious
• overflowing
• fruitful
• fertile
• supernumerary
• prodigal
• replete
• fecund
• fulsome
• blooming
• profuse
• abounding
• teeming
• rife
• luxuriant
• fat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minimal
• inadequate
• insufficient
• scant
• spare
• lacking
• bare
• meager
• deficient
• wanting
• least
• small
• minimum
• stingy
• light
• slight
• skimpy
• sterile
• unproductive
• barren
• infertile
• unfruitful

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective generous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of generous are bountiful, liberal, and munificent. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

Where would bountiful be a reasonable alternative to generous?

The synonyms bountiful and generous are sometimes interchangeable, but bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When might liberal be a better fit than generous?

In some situations, the words liberal and generous are roughly equivalent. However, liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

When is munificent a more appropriate choice than generous?

The words munificent and generous can be used in similar contexts, but munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of generous

Finish roasted vegetables or soup with a generous pour, use it as a dip with bread, toss it into a grain bowl or whisk it into a quick salad dressing. —Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026

The generous in-room amenities include suede-feel slippers and a leather toiletry bag to take home, filled with personal care products and a lovely hand cream from British wellness brand Never Go Alone. —Rebecca Rose, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026

Martinez describes him as a generous, kind man, who loved the Denver Nuggets. —Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

The layout spans roughly 1,500 square feet, with multiple sleeping areas and a generous central living space that doubles as both lounge and workspace. —Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026