altruistic
Giving without expecting
Altruistic describes concern for others' welfare over one's own.
An altruistic act benefits someone else without expectation of reward: She made an altruistic donation to the shelter.
The word often appears in debates about whether true altruism exists or whether all generosity serves some self-interest.
His motives weren't entirely altruistic.
Prioritizing others' welfare entirely
- selflessConcerned with others' welfare
- nobleTitled or virtuous
- magnanimousNoble and forgiving
- self-denyingSacrificing personal wants
devoted · giving · egoless · humble · modest · unpretentious · disinterested · impartial
Giving to those needing
- munificentExtravagantly generous in giving
- lavishAbundant beyond necessity
- liberalOpen to reform
- openhandedGiving freely, ungrudgingly
bountiful · beneficent · unstinting · donative · giving · indulgent · freehanded · unsparing
Feeling what others feel
- kindType or caring
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
- sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
- caringShowing kind concern
understanding · merciful · tolerant · sensitive · warm · gentle · nurturing · supportive
Helper of suffering people
- nonprofitOrganization serving public good
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- benefactorOne who gives aid
- patronRegular supporter or customer
endowment · donation · grant · volunteerism · aid · relief · advocacy · sponsorship
Obligated to answer for actions
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
- obligingWilling to help others
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- conscientiousScrupulously careful and thorough
civic-minded · public-spirited · upstanding · well-meaning · principled · ethical · honorable · scrupulous
self-sacrificing
Prioritizing others' welfare entirely
- selflessConcerned with others' welfare
- nobleTitled or virtuous
- magnanimousNoble and forgiving
self-denying · devoted · giving · egoless · humble · modest · unpretentious · disinterested · impartial · detached
charitable
Giving to those needing
- munificentExtravagantly generous in giving
- lavishAbundant beyond necessity
- liberalOpen to reform
openhanded · bountiful · beneficent · unstinting · donative · giving · indulgent · freehanded · unsparing · hospitable
empathetic
Feeling what others feel
- kindType or caring
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
- sympatheticFeeling others' emotions
caring · understanding · merciful · tolerant · sensitive · warm · gentle · nurturing · supportive · gracious
humanitarian
Helper of suffering people
- nonprofitOrganization serving public good
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- benefactorOne who gives aid
patron · endowment · donation · grant · volunteerism · aid · relief · advocacy · sponsorship · bequest
responsible
Obligated to answer for actions
- faithfulConsistently loyal and true
- obligingWilling to help others
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
conscientious · civic-minded · public-spirited · upstanding · well-meaning · principled · ethical · honorable · scrupulous · dutiful
altruisticselfish
Concerned only with oneself
self-serving · egoistic · self-centered · egotistical · self-interested
altruistichard-hearted
Lacking sympathy or mercy
pitiless · unfeeling · callous · cold-hearted · heartless
altruisticgreedy
Excessively wanting more
stingy · miserly · ungenerous · tight-fisted · parsimonious
- altruistic behaviorActions benefiting others freely