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 • Aug. 3, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

Just as most fairy tales are derived from darker, grimmer backstories, however, bird feeding, also, isn’t entirely innocent do-gooding for our feathered friends.

From Slate • Dec. 6, 2022

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

From Washington Post • Jun. 11, 2022

"Not to society or the world, but how we see ourselves — like, as do-gooding people, are we really just doing things to feel good about ourselves?"

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2017