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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Banderas established the Lágrimas y Favores Foundation as a social impact vehicle in his hometown of Málaga and co-hosts, alongside Sandra García-Sanjuán, the Starlite Gala organized by the Starlite Foundation charity. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 Olivia Rodrigo‘s Daisy Chain Fields Festival was a success, raising $20 million, which will be donated to charities that benefit women. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026 In a post after the charity festival, performer Chappell Roan gushed about the experience and praised organizer Olivia Rodrigo, while also revealing that the event reignited her own hunger for playing shows. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026 Sergio and Liz were both members of the 501st Legion, a charity and costuming group celebrating Star Wars. — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for charity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for charity

Noun

The showcase is supported by Allison Sarofim, the chair of Friends of the CFDA known for her work in the arts, film, fashion, beauty, and philanthropy.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
One of the most beloved celebrities of all time, her passing inspired a tidal wave of tributes from around the world, with Parton remembered not just for her music but for her acting career, decades of philanthropy and advocacy.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of philanthropy

Noun

In the document containing questions to ask Entergy witnesses, the commissioners were pressed by the commissioners' staff to ask utility officials about the payments not being treated as a contribution in aid of construction.

— Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
However, a November 2025 McKinsey global survey found that only 39% of respondents had seen AI affect company-wide operating profit, and most of that group said the contribution remained below 5%.

— Erum Manzoor, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of contribution

Noun

The fungibility of the hands is a reprieve from the book’s scenes of violence and its fallout, from the endless assigning of blame and the apportioning out of mercy or destruction.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of mercy

Noun

If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

While a release date hasn’t been announced yet, Fey teased that there would be more cozy vibes in the series about love and friendship.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026
Caylen’s friendship with Lawley has also been featured heavily in his online career.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of friendship

Noun

According to the organization, the donation is the largest private donation that Rozana USA has ever received.

— Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
In lieu of flowers, Parton’s family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of donation

Noun

Robust organizational infrastructure, including flexible schedules, empathy, and clear mental health pathways, is crucial.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
That kind of collective learning is especially important in the era of AI as distinctly human skills like attention span, curiosity, judgment, empathy and collaboration become more valuable, Kavanagh and Danielson argued.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of empathy

Noun

These proposals, many times rooted in sympathy and love, were presented as alternatives to the political structures and market logic that had so often led to war, exploitation, hopelessness, and suffering.

— Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
The glories of some former age may be lamented, and our sympathies directed to parties judged righteous or wronged.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sympathy

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charity

charlatan

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Style

“Charity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/charity. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of charity

noun

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Synonyms of charity

noun

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How to Use 'Munificent' and 'Beneficent'

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