variants
or less commonly largess
1
: liberal giving (as of money) to or as if to an inferior
a philanthropist known for his largesse
also
: something so given
projects depending on a flow of federal largesse
2
: generosity
his generosity of spirit, an absolutely natural largesse—
Harvey Breit
Harvey Breit
Did you know?
The word largesse, which also can be spelled largess, comes from Anglo-French large, meaning "generous."
Synonyms
Examples of largesse in a Sentence
He relied on the largesse of friends after he lost his job.
Recent Examples on the Web
The well-to-do local businessmen who in their philanthropic largesse had funded over 80% of Mishpacha’s budget had become needy themselves.
—Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
More than 60% of the growth for September came from the usual suspects — food and drinking establishments, health care, and government — that have all been the beneficiaries of fiscal largesse that has pushed the 2024 budget deficit to the brink of $2 trillion.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024
In the past, European largesse helped to support peace in Northern Ireland, providing regional development and agricultural funds and funding reconciliation efforts.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2016
For much of the Ohio Senate primary, Vance trailed in the polls despite the largesse of Thiel, the explicitly pro-monopoly libertarian who poured $15 million into a super PAC supporting him.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for largesse 
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.
Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
More than 60% of the growth for September came from the usual suspects — food and drinking establishments, health care, and government — that have all been the beneficiaries of fiscal largesse that has pushed the 2024 budget deficit to the brink of $2 trillion.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024
In the past, European largesse helped to support peace in Northern Ireland, providing regional development and agricultural funds and funding reconciliation efforts.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 28 June 2016
For much of the Ohio Senate primary, Vance trailed in the polls despite the largesse of Thiel, the explicitly pro-monopoly libertarian who poured $15 million into a super PAC supporting him.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for largesse
Dictionary Entries Near largesse
Cite this Entry
“Largesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/largesse. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share