do-gooder

noun

do-good·​er ˈdü-ˌgu̇-dər How to pronounce do-gooder (audio)
: an earnest often naive humanitarian or reformer
do-gooding noun or adjective

Examples of do-gooder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At the beach, while other tourists gather for sunset and surfers catch glassy lefts, do-gooders dig holes, adding plant defender to the frontline, one by one. Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 29 Dec. 2024 Lucy is the do-gooder vault dweller, Maximus is the aspirant warrior, and The Ghoul is the wasteland rogue. Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024 Reyes denied molesting or trafficking the girl, portraying himself as a do-gooder who wished to help an unsheltered person in need, according to police. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024 Helen’s husband, Wallace (Andrew Buchan), is a defense secretary and member of the conservative party, who toes a fine line between complicit villain and naive do-gooder, without ever risking anything more personal than his reputation. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for do-gooder 

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of do-gooder was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near do-gooder

Cite this Entry

“Do-gooder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-gooder. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on do-gooder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!