1
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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2
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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3
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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4
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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5
as in friendship
kindly concern, interest, or support
Lincoln's famous promise that the period of Reconstruction would be marked by "charity for all"
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of charity
First, charity care standards are often opaque and inconsistent.
—
Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The outlet reported that IRS filings between 2021 and 2024 showed that Kelce's nonprofit spent 41 cents of every dollar raised on charity, and more went to management.
—Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
His childhood friend Lori Puccinelli Stern once organized a charity auction at Planet Hollywood with future Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
Unlike other foreign aid programs, addressing Agent Orange is more akin to restitution than charity because the U.S. brought the deadly substance there in the first place.
—Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for charity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity
Noun
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In 2010 Gates, his wife at the time Melinda French Gates, and Berkshire Hathaway co-founder Warren Buffett launched the Giving Pledge, making a public commitment to philanthropy, which has since been signed by the likes of philanthropist Mackenzie Scott and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky.—
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According to Franyo, the restaurant, located on Restaurant Row, requires investments into its staff and community philanthropy.—
Noun
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The holiday season is usually a big one for charitable contributions.—
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The philanthropy part will probably be connected to his annual Thanksgiving contributions to family foundations.—
Noun
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The decisions and forces that affect society, that dictate the livelihoods and well-being of its citizens, are at the mercy of the market, and the now frighteningly transparent ways that the market serves and benefits its dutiful governmental benefactors.—
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Local districts bear too much of the financial and administrative burden, leaving students at the mercy of local budgets and priorities.—
Noun
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For months afterward, kindness arrived in unexpected forms — neighbors bringing food, strangers offering furniture, friends calling daily.—
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Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty?—
Noun
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Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard.—
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Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on.—
Noun
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After the campaign collected $1,503,533 from more than 38,500 donations, the organizers posted a note thanking contributors for their generosity.—
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Community members can support the campaign through tax-deductible donations administered by the El Dorado Community Foundation, rounding up purchases at the register, or settling membership equity balances.—
Noun
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Lilleaas shares her character’s sympathy for the inability of different generations to connect.—
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No sympathy for Maduro Maduro, the ruthless dictator arrested with his wife and flown to New York for trial, deserves no sympathy.—
Noun
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After the campaign collected $1,503,533 from more than 38,500 donations, the organizers posted a note thanking contributors for their generosity.—
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If your grandchild attends one of these schools and receives financial aid, check with the school’s financial aid office about how your generosity could affect their aid package.—
Cite this Entry
“Charity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charity. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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