magnanimous
Americanadjective
-
generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness.
to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.
- Synonyms:
- kindly, charitable, big
-
high-minded; noble.
a just and magnanimous ruler.
-
proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc..
a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.
adjective
Synonym Usage
See noble.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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
Explanation
A magnanimous person has a generous spirit. Letting your little sister have the last of the cookies, even though you hadn't eaten since breakfast, would be considered a magnanimous act. Magnanimous comes from Latin magnus "great" and animus "soul," so it literally describes someone who is big-hearted. A person can show that over-sized spirit by being noble or brave, or by easily forgiving others and not showing resentment. It implies superiority, and is something you should say of others rather than of yourself. Being magnanimous doesn't require doling out tons of cash — just being an understanding and tolerant soul will do the trick.
Vocabulary lists containing magnanimous
The Great Gatsby
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'Tis The Season: Words For Giving
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Speak Your Mind: Anim
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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.
The decision was framed as a magnanimous act of mercy and was undoubtedly meant to demonstrate goodwill on the part of Havana’s ruling elite.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026
The ugliness of the comment prompted Rick Wilson—former Republican strategist, he of the magnanimous Lincoln Project—to step forward.
From Slate ● Feb. 12, 2026
Guardiola was probably being magnanimous due to his side's disappointing performance in the derby loss at Old Trafford.
From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026
Doncic, along with James, is considered one of their leaders and this was seen as magnanimous.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2025
Calmly he struck a wooden match and sucked noisily at his pipe with an eloquent air of benign and magnanimous forgiveness.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
