altruistic
unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (opposed to egoistic).
Animal Behavior. of or relating to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives.
Origin of altruistic
1Other words for altruistic
Opposites for altruistic
Other words from altruistic
- al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
- hy·per·al·tru·is·tic, adjective
- non·al·tru·is·tic, adjective
- non·al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Words Nearby altruistic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use altruistic in a sentence
Because while chimps can be altruistic, they’re responding to the immediate emotion.
Jane Goodall reveals what studying chimpanzees teaches us about human nature | Sigal Samuel | July 23, 2021 | VoxIt feels dangerous, in a way, to throw all this altruistic effort at existential risk mitigation and probably do nothing, when you know that you could’ve done all this good for near-term causes.
Our evolved psychology has altruistic elements that can ideally combine with reason to enable us to live up to such inclusive and egalitarian ideals.
Are We Cut Out for Universal Morality? - Issue 100: Outsiders | William J. FitzPatrick | May 26, 2021 | NautilusNothing about the trial prevents people from seeking a vaccination on their own, but she views participating as a way to contribute to history — an altruistic impulse that scientists running the trial said they are depending on.
A vaccine study in college students will help determine when it’s safe to take masks off | Carolyn Y. Johnson | April 12, 2021 | Washington PostWhile it is perhaps not surprising that highly social species like elephants and primates routinely help their kith and kin, what is truly eye-opening is how often these altruistic impulses cross species lines.
Eye-opening acts of empathy in the animal kingdom | Richard Schiffman | April 9, 2021 | Washington Post
Wetzel told me that at approximately the 10-year mark, lifers tend to become altruistic and “start getting involved.”
Here’s a Reform Even the Koch Brothers and George Soros Can Agree On | Tina Brown | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMost Americans have viewed Africa through the lens of LiveAid or Black Hawk Down or the altruistic whims of Madonna.
How I Got Addicted to Africa (and Wrote a Thriller About It) | Todd Moss | September 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut his may be one of the most altruistic motives behind DIY nation-building yet.
So You Want to Rule a Kingdom? A Wacky History of One-Man Nations | Nina Strochlic | July 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis greater goal, be it altruistic or economic, helps impassion people, and passion is a great mobilizer.
“I joined for fairly altruistic reasons, like a lot of people in our generation,” Feehan said.
Medal of Honor Awardee Embodies the best of his Generation | Matt Gallagher | October 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTYou have been altruistic, Dr. Marmion; I fear critical people would say that you meddled.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete | Gilbert ParkerTheir defender, however, after admitting their untruthfulness, explains that their lying is altruistic.
The Old World in the New | Edward Alsworth RossAfterwards, when he thought more deeply, he found a great hope in the very existence of all this altruistic enthusiasm.
Hyacinth | George A. BirminghamYou can trust them in anything, if your demand be for nothing extremely intelligent or absurdly altruistic.
Letters from America | Rupert BrookeBut in order to strengthen his defence, he alleged reasons which could not be understood in an altruistic country.
Contemporary Russian Novelists | Serge Persky
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