do-gooding

American  

[doo-good-ing] / ˈduˌgʊd ɪŋ /

noun

1. earnestly doing good; focusing on humanitarian causes in a naive and often ineffectual way.

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Etymology

Origin of do-gooding

First recorded in 1935–40; do ¹ ( def. ) + good ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Although Miranda is merely an intern at Human Rights Watch, she is thrilled about her new position — she’s finally free from corporate law and instead engaged in actual do-gooding.

From New York Times

The Sith are the malevolent enemies of the do-gooding Jedi.

From Seattle Times

The Clinton Global Initiative began in 2005 and quickly became something akin to a Davos-on-the-Hudson event, but one with a greater focus on philanthropy, nonprofits and corporate do-gooding.

From New York Times

The slaughter of Freya has now polarized Oslo and threatened to change the image of a country associated with love of nature, diplomatic do-gooding and Nobel Peace Prizes into one that whacks an adored and wobbly sunbather with mob-like efficiency.

From New York Times

And you can bet it feels cold despite all that warmhearted global do-gooding they say they are doing.

From Washington Post