magnanimous

[ mag-nan-uh-muhs ]

/ mægˈnæn ə məs /

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See synonyms for: magnanimous / magnanimously / magnanimousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.

high-minded; noble: a just and magnanimous ruler.

proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.

OTHER WORDS FOR magnanimous

1 big, charitable, kindly, unspiteful.

See synonyms for magnanimous 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 magnanimous

First recorded in 1540–60; from Latin magnanimus “great-souled,” equivalent to magn(us) “great” + anim(us) “spirit, soul, mind” + -us adjective suffix; see origin at magn-, -ous

synonym study for magnanimous

2. See noble.

OTHER WORDS FROM magnanimous

mag·nan·i·mous·ly, adverbmag·nan·i·mous·ness, nounun·mag·nan·i·mous, adjectiveun·mag·nan·i·mous·ly, adverb

un·mag·nan·i·mous·ness, noun

Words nearby magnanimous

magnaflux, Magna Graecia, magnalium, Magna Mater, magnanimity, magnanimous, magnate, magnesia, magnesite, magnesium, magnesium arsenate

How to use magnanimous in a sentence

Schieffer, by contrast, was more magnanimous and respectful.
Kissy-Face The Nation: Washington’s Power Elite Smooch Bob Schieffer|Lloyd Grove|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even Rachel Maddow, who wrote her doctoral thesis on AIDS reform in prisons, seemed surprised by the seemingly magnanimous move.
The Saddest Reality Stars of All: Prisoners|Mansfield Frazier|May 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And how has this seemingly magnanimous gesture been received?
Washington Is Waiting for Godot as President Obama’s Second-Term Agenda Stalls|Howard Kurtz|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As such, he calls for liberals to be magnanimous, recognize trade-offs, and say that this trade-off was worth it.
Let's Just Blame Modernity for the Marriage Crisis|Ilana Glazer|April 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST

This means that an agreement, when it finally emerges, will not be uplifting, elegant, and magnanimous.
Last Chance Saloon|Daniel Gavron|January 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This man is Jean Biencourt, commonly called Potrincourt, of noble birth and a magnanimous man.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
With which magnanimous sentiment he turned on his clumsy heel, and entered his apartment again.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Ah you're so magnanimous that you shall have it for nothing!
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
Buck had something in him which taught him how to be magnanimous.
The Napoleon of Notting Hill|Gilbert K. Chesterton
These magnanimous sentiments were supported by the vigor of his actions.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|Edward Gibbon

British Dictionary definitions for magnanimous

magnanimous

/ (mæɡˈnænɪməs) /

adjective

generous and noble

Derived forms of magnanimous

magnanimously, adverbmagnanimousness, noun

Word Origin for magnanimous

C16: from Latin magnanimus great-souled

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

magnanimous

OTHER WORDS FOR magnanimous

Origin of magnanimous

synonym study for magnanimous

OTHER WORDS FROM magnanimous

Words nearby magnanimous

Words related to magnanimous

How to use magnanimous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for magnanimous

Derived forms of magnanimous

Word Origin for magnanimous