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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective generous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of generous are bountiful, liberal, and munificent. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

Where would bountiful be a reasonable alternative to generous?

The synonyms bountiful and generous are sometimes interchangeable, but bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When might liberal be a better fit than generous?

In some situations, the words liberal and generous are roughly equivalent. However, liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

When is munificent a more appropriate choice than generous?

The words munificent and generous can be used in similar contexts, but munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of generous The property encompasses a generous 6,608 square feet of land. Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025 Exorbitantly generous with his knowledge, nothing less. Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 12 Jan. 2025 Moon Palace Resorts Locations in Jamaica and Mexico Kids age 17 and under can stay, play, and eat for free at Moon Palace Jamaica, one of the most generous kids-stay-free deals anywhere in the Caribbean. Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025 Get the Recipe 18 of 25 Fresh Peach Cobbler During sweltering summer months in the South, nothing hits the spot quite like peach cobbler with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for generous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generous
Adjective
  • However, a handful of events will carry on with a charitable component, including the starry Clive Davis party and MusiCares tribute concert.
    Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Panthers have a solid-but-not-great cap situation due to years of restructurings, and their draft capital is plentiful with the option to be enhanced by a trade out of the top 10.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
  • During a recent visit, the place was packed and plates of labneh (yogurt cheese), sabzi polo (Persian rice with a browned crust) and chicken kebabs were plentiful.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This Carter button, in the campaign’s signature green, summed up their politically balanced ticket: Deep South partnered with far North, appealing to liberal and conservative Democrats alike.
    Bill Marsh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
  • South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol — weakened after the liberal opposition retained control in an April election -– astonished the country by declaring martial law in a late-night announcement on Dec. 3.
    Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The solid wood construction is sturdy and long-lasting, while the triple-tier design will provide ample space for my favorite cocktail accessories and spirit bottles.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Shoppers shared that they were repeatedly impressed by its ample interior space and can pack far more than expected.
    Alyssa Brascia, Travel + Leisure, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The 34-year-old Uncut Gems actress has revealed that her current New York home came with a surprise: a benevolent spirit named Beauty, who has taken up residence in the basement.
    EW.com, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2025
  • In it, humanity’s future has been largely tamed by a brilliant mathematician who uses statistical laws to control human behavior and protect against catastrophic events, ensuring what is supposed to be benevolent and stable rule for centuries.
    Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near generous

Cite this Entry

“Generous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generous. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on generous

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