Definition
Munificent means extremely generous or liberal in giving.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective.
Synonyms
generous, liberal, bountiful, lavish, freehanded, openhanded, magnanimous, bighearted, unselfish.
Antonyms
Miserly, stingy, tightfisted, mean, ungenerous.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | munificences, munificence |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | munificent |
| Adverb | munificently |
Example Sentences
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The billionaire businessman made a munificent donation to the charity, helping to fund important medical research.
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The munificent bonus given to the employees at the end of the year was a welcome surprise.
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The king was known for his munificent patronage of the arts, which helped to elevate his kingdom’s cultural status.
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Her munificent spirit allowed her to give freely and generously to those in need, earning her the respect and admiration of her community.
Usage
Munificent is a relatively formal word that is often used to describe acts of extreme generosity or lavish giving. It is commonly used in discussions of philanthropy, charity, and patronage, as it often conveys a sense of largesse or magnanimity in these contexts.
The word munificent is derived from the Latin word “munificus,” which means “generous” or “bountiful.” The suffix “-ific” means “making” or “creating,” while the root “mun-” is related to words like “municipality” and “common,” and refers to duties or obligations owed to the community or society as a whole. The prefix “mu-” is often used as a form of intensifier, emphasizing the scale or significance of something.
The word “generosity” is a related term to munificence, but generally refers more to the quality of being generous in personality and actions, rather than specifically relating to monetary or material giving. Other related words to munificent include synonyms such as “generous,” “openhanded,” “liberal,” and “magnanimous.”
Munificent is a word that can often be seen in formal writing and should be used sparingly in everyday speech. It is a powerful, emotive word that can help to provide a sense of gravity, dignity, and nobility to descriptions of acts of charity or philanthropy. The quality of being munificent is generally seen as a highly admirable and desirable trait, which is why it is often used in contexts that relate to altruism, generosity, and selflessness.