GENEROUS Synonyms: 132 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

generous

adjective

ˈje-nə-rəs

Definition of generous next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in plentiful

being more than enough without being excessive mashed potatoes with a generous serving of butter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Recent Examples of generous Our expert take The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is one of the best balance transfer credit cards and also has a generous intro APR offer. —

Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025 Additionally, the home includes a two-car garage, offering generous space for vehicles and storage requirements. —

Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025 Britain should do its part, out of an impulse toward restoration in the most generous sense. —

Ralph Leonard, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025 While the garlic cools, bring 2 to 3 cups water and a generous pinch of salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. —

Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for generous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for generous

Adjective

So, much of the document describes the indirect costs paid by charitable foundations, which tend to be much lower than the rate paid by the NIH.

— John Timmer, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2025
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025