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
This year’s honorees included Isaac Gonzales (Homeboy Hero), JacQueena Matthews Haynes (Homegirl Hero), Lauren Tom (Community Honoree) and philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist (Kinship Honorees).
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
The need for government to step into the shoes once filled by philanthropists like Agnes Gund becomes even more vital.
—Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will overhaul a board charged with soliciting donations from the city’s wealthy philanthropists, naming new members with few ties to the private sector in a shift from prior administrations.
—Laura Nahmias, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
The panel was part of the Nexus Summit, which brings together the next generation of philanthropists, impact investors and social entrepreneurs, and was hosted by lawyer and philanthropist Amanda Smorgon.
—Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Upon returning to the United States from France, Jay got straight to work with the help of the Union League Club in New York to rally civic leaders, businessmen, artists, art collectors, and philanthropists.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Maybe there were other things Donovan could have tried; other sabers to rattle, other philanthropists to approach.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
Unlike many high-society philanthropists, Sam’s descendants are not distant figures with their names on plaques.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
The organization has gotten a little assistance along the way from a pair of philanthropists.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
The need for government to step into the shoes once filled by philanthropists like Agnes Gund becomes even more vital.
—Gale Brewer, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will overhaul a board charged with soliciting donations from the city’s wealthy philanthropists, naming new members with few ties to the private sector in a shift from prior administrations.
—Laura Nahmias, Bloomberg, 16 Apr. 2026
The panel was part of the Nexus Summit, which brings together the next generation of philanthropists, impact investors and social entrepreneurs, and was hosted by lawyer and philanthropist Amanda Smorgon.
—Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Upon returning to the United States from France, Jay got straight to work with the help of the Union League Club in New York to rally civic leaders, businessmen, artists, art collectors, and philanthropists.
—Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
Maybe there were other things Donovan could have tried; other sabers to rattle, other philanthropists to approach.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026
Unlike many high-society philanthropists, Sam’s descendants are not distant figures with their names on plaques.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
The organization has gotten a little assistance along the way from a pair of philanthropists.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for philanthropists
Noun
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In The Lever, Luke Goldstein and Katya Schwenk profiled Majority Democrats, one of the post-2024 groups set up by donors who think the Democrats need strategies and language that will win back less culturally liberal voters.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and donors in South Florida’s Jewish and Muslim communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza and the Mohsin and Fauzia Jaffer Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These include decisions by a hostile California judiciary which, especially in the last two decades, have sided with the government and its special interest benefactors by creating loopholes that significantly weakened taxpayer protections that had stood for over 40 years.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
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The filmmakers reserved their incisive commentary not for Wintour or her staff, but for their notable friends and benefactors The Bezoses.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 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 3 May. 2026.
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