Altruistic
adj.kind, thoughtfulformal
What it means
Motivated chiefly by concern for other people's welfare.
Reach for it when praising a choice whose intended benefit genuinely belongs to others
Their altruistic decision gave the larger room to the crowded clinic.
Choose between these
6- everyday
freely giving more than required is visible
not when Generosity can be enjoyable or reputation-building rather than altruistic.
- warm
other-centered
attention deliberately moves away from personal benefit
not when Other-centered is uncommon and can imply poor boundaries.
- warm
personal advantage is clearly set aside
not when Selfless can glorify exhaustion or the surrender of reasonable needs.
- professional
aid to people or causes is the context
not when Charitable can describe tax status or a lenient interpretation.
- formal
kind intent from a position of power is central
not when Benevolent can sound paternal and does not prove sacrifice.
- formal
community benefit guides the action
not when Public spirit may come from civic duty rather than selfless motive.
Said against
3- selfish
- self-serving
- exploitative
It naturally appears in
3- altruistic act
The anonymous donation was an altruistic act.
- altruistic motive
Researchers could not verify an entirely altruistic motive.
- altruistic behavior
Altruistic behavior increased when neighbors knew one another.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English adjective sense: showing selfless concern for others opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.