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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.

CoreWeave executives and advisers have privately indicated to other chip companies that they are reluctant to use non-Nvidia chips for fear of upsetting their benefactor, according to people who have heard the remarks.

From The Wall Street Journal

"In life, these folks -- benefactors, knights, and clergy -- were also likely able to use their wealth to secure closer proximity to divinity, such as having a pew closer to the front of the church."

From Science Daily

If the opposite takes place, then copper may be the biggest benefactor.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I think the market is saying these financial companies are going to be the biggest benefactors of AI,” with margin and operational efficiency improvements, he said.

From MarketWatch

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

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.