altruistic

[ al-troo-is-tik ]

/ ˌæl truˈɪs tɪk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: altruistic / altruistically on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR altruistic

1 charitable, generous, philanthropic; benevolent, unselfish.

See synonyms for altruistic on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR altruistic

1 self-centered, selfish, mean.

See antonyms for altruistic on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of altruistic

First recorded in 1850–55; altru(ism) + -istic

OTHER WORDS FROM altruistic

al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly, adverbhy·per·al·tru·is·tic, adjectivenon·al·tru·is·tic, adjectivenon·al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

How to use altruistic in a sentence

The state’s plan was both altruistic and practical, meant to enhance quality of life and save money.
People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.|by Amy Silverman for Arizona Daily Star, with data analysis by Alex Devoid, Arizona Daily Star|November 5, 2020|ProPublica
The three women fell to wrangling, altruistically, of course, over the two front seats.
What Will People Say?|Rupert Hughes
Selfishly, altruistically, the story was the thing for him to do.
To Him That Hath|Leroy Scott
But the girl he saw from the car window—did she also appeal to him altruistically?
The Little Brown Jug at Kildare|Meredith Nicholson

The lieutenant, being young himself, was not so cautiously and altruistically apprehensive.
The Storm Centre|Charles Egbert Craddock
The fly would act altruistically, according to Spencer's definition, in being caught in the net of the spider.
A Review of the Systems of Ethics Founded on the Theory of Evolution|C. M. Williams