What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
altruist
Example
She is a true altruist, always putting the needs of others before her own. [altruist: noun]
Example
He acted out of pure altruism, donating his entire inheritance to charity. [altruism: noun]
benefactor
Example
The library was built thanks to the generous contributions of a local benefactor. [benefactor: noun]
Example
She became a benefactor of the arts, donating money to support local theater productions. [benefactor: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Benefactor is more commonly used than altruist in everyday language. Benefactor is a more versatile term that can be used in a variety of contexts, while altruist is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between altruist and benefactor?
Both altruist and benefactor are relatively formal terms, but benefactor may be slightly more formal due to its association with financial assistance and philanthropy.
