as in generosity
feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness
charitable acts motivated purely by altruism In one final act of altruism, she donated almost all of her money to the hospital.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 altruism
There is potential to find explanations for numerous neurological diseases that impact our behaviour such as altruism, empathy, cooperation and the ability to recognise emotions and intentions.
—
Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024
For example, precision questioning, abstraction, aggression, sexism and a disdain for altruism—serving the social good—are a few of the core values driving culture in computing worksites.
—Coleen M. Carrigan, WIRED, 9 Dec. 2024
As the moon and Neptune clash, someone seeks to exploit your altruism!
—USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
We’re pulled, in Headland’s telling, by a weird mix of mythological pressure, Darwinian logic, residual altruism, childhood regression and (most importantly) raw personal need.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altruism 
Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024
For example, precision questioning, abstraction, aggression, sexism and a disdain for altruism—serving the social good—are a few of the core values driving culture in computing worksites.
—Coleen M. Carrigan, WIRED, 9 Dec. 2024
As the moon and Neptune clash, someone seeks to exploit your altruism!
—USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
We’re pulled, in Headland’s telling, by a weird mix of mythological pressure, Darwinian logic, residual altruism, childhood regression and (most importantly) raw personal need.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for altruism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for altruism
Noun
-
Setting aside humanity, humility, charity, generosity, rationality, reality and other distractions, the Los Angeles fires add another element to what was already a fraught relationship between two egocentric political figures.—
Dan Walters,
The Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The interfaith outpouring of compassion and generosity is an example of faith in action, those interviewed say.—
Sophie Hills,
The Christian Science Monitor,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The band Metallica said its foundation, All Within My Hands, will donate $500,000 to a number of local charities assisting victims.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
-
The Grammys have already announced its 2025 ceremony will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2 as planned but with significant charity elements added in order to raise money for those affected by the L.A. fires.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Businessman and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced today that his philanthropy group will make up for U.S. funding to the United Nations climate agency following President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Battelle and Shlain make a clear distinction between philanthropy and investing, even when a guest speaker is both an academic and an entrepreneur.—
Grace Huckins,
Robb Report,
20 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to altruism
Thesaurus Entries Near altruism
Cite this Entry
“Altruism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/altruism. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share