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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective generous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of generous are bountiful, liberal, and munificent. While all these words mean "giving or given freely and unstintingly," generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift.

a generous offer of help

Where would bountiful be a reasonable alternative to generous?

The synonyms bountiful and generous are sometimes interchangeable, but bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing.

children spoiled by bountiful presents

When might liberal be a better fit than generous?

In some situations, the words liberal and generous are roughly equivalent. However, liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given.

a teacher liberal with her praise

When is munificent a more appropriate choice than generous?

The words munificent and generous can be used in similar contexts, but munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes.

a munificent foundation grant

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of generous Advertisement Blue Moon is both a modest movie and a dazzling, generous work. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Oct. 2025 The new visa aims to loosen restrictions and enhance China’s global appeal, promising more generous terms such as longer validity periods and multiple entries. Peter Guo, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025 Elsewhere are four generous bedrooms. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025 To the perhaps-less-generous eye, this looked as if Edison was hiding something. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for generous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generous
Adjective
  • Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Potatoes add a plentiful bit of starchy and are super tender after simmering.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Exterior deck areas are plentiful, from the upper aft deck for alfresco dining, to the lower-deck beach club which has a gym instead of the sauna and shower on the typical layout.
    Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But recent history suggests that its mission would have less to do with proffering aid than with complementing the Kremlin’s liberal use of brute force.
    Tetiana Kotelnykova, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
  • An empty water glass here, timing issue there or a liberal application of salt anywhere can turn an otherwise great dinner into a just-fine night out.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Opting for a few smaller gatherings with ample breaks between them can make the experience more doable.
    Big Think, Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Drown them with an ample amount of water and stir to confirm that everything is cold to the touch.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The short war in Cuba gained the United States the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico; turned the nation into a Pacific power; and created beliefs that America was a stern yet benevolent country tasked by Destiny to enforce peace and bring prosperity to the world.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Since that time, says Paine, even those fortunate enough to live under benevolent rule have seldom been more than one generation away from yet another dreadful monarch.
    Matthew Redmond, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Generous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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