Altruism — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm/ al·tru·ism

Meaning & Definition of Altruism

Altruism (noun)

  1. unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
  2. behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species

Altruism (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness

    "charitable acts motivated purely by altruism"

    "In one final act of altruism, she donated almost all of her money to the hospital."

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Altruism

The most common words with a similar meaning to Altruism:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Altruism

Words with the opposite meaning of Altruism:

Origin & Etymology of Altruism

French altruisme, from autrui other people, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, from Latin alter

First known use: 1853

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Altruism

Frequently Asked Questions about Altruism

What does "Altruism" mean?

"Altruism" means unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. As a noun, it is defined as: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.

What is another word for "Altruism"?

Other words for "Altruism" include generosity, magnanimity, nobility, charity, clemency, forbearance, lenience and leniency. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Altruism" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Altruism"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Altruism". Common alternatives include generosity, magnanimity, nobility, charity, clemency, forbearance, lenience, leniency, lenity and mercifulness.

What is the opposite of "Altruism"?

Antonyms of "Altruism" include hard-heartedness, mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness, uncharitableness, greed, selfishness and reprisal.

How do you use "Altruism" in a sentence?

Examples of "Altruism" in a sentence: "charitable acts motivated purely by altruism"; "In one final act of altruism, she donated almost all of her money to the hospital.".

Is "Altruism" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Altruism" is a noun.

Is "Altruism" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Altruism" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Altruism"?

"Altruism" is pronounced /ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm/ and divided into syllables as al·tru·ism.