magnanimous

[mag-nan-uh-muhs]

adjective

1. generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness.

   to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.

   Synonyms: kindly, charitable, big

2. high-minded; noble.

   a just and magnanimous ruler.

3. proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc..

   a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.

magnanimous

/ mæɡˈnænɪməs /

adjective

1. generous and noble

Other Word Forms

• magnanimously adverb
• magnanimousness noun
• unmagnanimous adjective
• unmagnanimously adverb
• unmagnanimousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnanimous¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnanimous¹

C16: from Latin magnanimus great-souled

Synonym Study

See noble.

Example Sentences

Readers who pick the more proper—or magnanimous—paths are in no way guaranteed to page their way toward happier endings.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But speaking to the cameras afterwards, Ross was magnanimous in accepting his defeat.

Read more on BBC

When wealth becomes a substitute for participation, giving is reduced to performance art—proof of virtue, a way to appear magnanimous while still demanding ownership.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Doncic, along with James, is considered one of their leaders and this was seen as magnanimous.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Everyone at the party wants to be in Mary’s orbit because she’s magnanimous, not pretentious.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• altruistic 
• charitable 
• considerate 
• forgiving 
• selfless 
• unselfish 
• unstinting