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Synonyms

benefactor

American  
[ben-uh-fak-ter, ben-uh-fak-] / ˈbɛn əˌfæk tər, ˌbɛn əˈfæk- /

noun

  1. a person who confers a benefit; kindly helper.

  2. a person who makes a bequest or endowment, as to an institution.

    Synonyms:
    protector, backer, sponsor, supporter, patron

benefactor British  
/ ˌbɛnɪˈfæk-, ˈbɛnɪˌfæktə /

noun

  1. a person who supports or helps a person, institution, etc, esp by giving money; patron

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • benefactress noun

Etymology

Origin of benefactor

1425–75; late Middle English benefactour < Late Latin; bene-, factor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

India may be one of the greatest benefactors of the new global trading order.

From Barron's

India may be one of the greatest benefactors of the new global trading order.

From Barron's

Cuban is facing its most serious economic crisis since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, its principal benefactor.

From Barron's

Jazz haunts with debts owed to its creators, and has a knack for revivals, collectives, new venues in the old forms, and stalwart clubs revivified by benefactors and grant funding.

From Los Angeles Times

Singapore’s government offers grants, tax exemptions and equity investments to new companies, making the city-state “one of the most generous benefactors of tech entrepreneurs anywhere in the world,” Mr.

From The Wall Street Journal