do-gooder

noun

do-good·​er ˈdü-ˌgu̇-dər How to pronounce do-gooder (audio)
: an earnest often naive humanitarian or reformer
do-gooding noun or adjective

Examples of do-gooder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Amy Poehler stars as do-gooder Leslie Knope, a government worker who just wants to make her Indiana town of Pawnee better, just as Brunson’s character Janine Teagues wants to improve Willard R. Abbott Elementary School for all of her students. Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2024 Each year, do-gooders in more than 90 cities in the United States receive a Jefferson award at the local level for their extraordinary work in their community. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2024 Kit Harington is hanging up his hat as being typecast as do-gooders. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2024 This may seem paradoxical, instances of Jewish do-gooders acting on behalf of others. Corey Robin, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for do-gooder 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'do-gooder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of do-gooder was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near do-gooder

Cite this Entry

“Do-gooder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/do-gooder. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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