CHARITY Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'charity' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of charity are clemency , grace , leniency , and mercy . While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others. // show a little charity for the less fortunate

Q: When is 'clemency' a more appropriate choice than 'charity'?

The meanings of clemency and charity largely overlap; however, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing. // the judge refused to show clemency

Q: When is it sensible to use 'grace' instead of 'charity'?

While in some cases nearly identical to charity , grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions. // by the grace of God

Q: When can 'leniency' be used instead of 'charity'?

Although the words leniency and charity have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing. // criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Q: When might 'mercy' be a better fit than 'charity'?

The synonyms mercy and charity are sometimes interchangeable, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it. // threw himself on the mercy of the court

charity

noun

ˈcher-ə-tē

Definition of charity next

as in philanthropy

the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy after amassing a fortune in the computer industry, the brothers devoted themselves to charity

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Relevance

as in contribution

a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution donated his mansion and all of its land as a charity to the people of his beloved home state

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as in mercy

kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it can't you show a little charity to a guy who's the first to admit he's not perfect?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in kindness

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune his charity is such that he's a sucker for every panhandler's tale of woe

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in friendship

kindly concern, interest, or support Lincoln's famous promise that the period of Reconstruction would be marked by "charity for all"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun charity differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of charity are clemency, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is clemency a more appropriate choice than charity?

The meanings of clemency and charity largely overlap; however, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When is it sensible to use grace instead of charity?

While in some cases nearly identical to charity, grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When can leniency be used instead of charity?

Although the words leniency and charity have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than charity?

The synonyms mercy and charity are sometimes interchangeable, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

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 charity Most campers on private property have been donated by local and national charities, such as Samaritan's Purse and Cajun Navy, which is working with Emergency RV to donate used and new campers. —

Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025 The performance raises money for Azaria’s charity, the 4 Through 9 Foundation, which invests in education and well-being for youths. —

Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025 As with many of his previous automotive purchases, the proceeds benefitted charity, this time going to the American Red Cross. —

Lydia Mee, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for charity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity

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