Altruistic
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.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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everyday
Fits when freely giving more than required is visible
Careful Generosity can be enjoyable or reputation-building rather than altruistic.
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warm
other-centered
Fits when attention deliberately moves away from personal benefit
Careful Other-centered is uncommon and can imply poor boundaries.
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warm
Fits when personal advantage is clearly set aside
Careful Selfless can glorify exhaustion or the surrender of reasonable needs.
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professional
Fits when aid to people or causes is the context
Careful Charitable can describe tax status or a lenient interpretation.
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formal
Fits when kind intent from a position of power is central
Careful Benevolent can sound paternal and does not prove sacrifice.
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formal
Fits when community benefit guides the action
Careful Public spirit may come from civic duty rather than selfless motive.
Opposites 3
- selfish
- self-serving
- exploitative
Common phrases 3
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altruistic act
The anonymous donation was an altruistic act.
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altruistic motive
Researchers could not verify an entirely altruistic motive.
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altruistic behavior
Altruistic behavior increased when neighbors knew one another.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Commander Keane, Australian accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated