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magnanimous

adjective
mag·​nan·​i·​mous | \ mag-ˈna-nÉ™-mÉ™s How to pronounce magnanimous (audio) \

Definition of magnanimous

1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit the irreproachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their followers— Joseph Addison
2 : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind too sincere for dissimulation, too magnanimous for resentment— Ellen Glasgow
Other Words from magnanimous Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about magnanimous

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Other Words from magnanimous

magnanimously adverb
magnanimousness noun

Did You Know?

When you see "anima," "animus," or a similar formation in a word, it's an indicator of something alive, lively, or spirited. Something "animated" is full of life, for example, and an "animal" is a living, breathing thing. The Latin word animus means "soul" or "spirit." In "magnanimous," that "animus" is joined by Latin magnus, meaning "great." Basically meaning "greatness of spirit," "magnanimity" is the opposite of pettiness. A truly magnanimous person can lose without complaining and win without gloating. Angry disputes can sometimes be resolved when one side makes a magnanimous gesture toward another.

Examples of magnanimous in a Sentence

"No problem," I dismissed his concerns with a magnanimous flick of the wrist. — Tom Perrotta, Joe College, 2000 … and many of them retain a respectful Eisenhower-or-Kennedy-era view of America as Japan's usually magnanimous elder brother. — James Fallows, Atlantic, August 1989 … with the off-duty cops downing them as fast as he could pour, Leery could afford to be magnanimous and play the jukebox for the boys and girls. — Joseph Wambaugh, The Delta Star, 1983 Levesque was magnanimous in victory, immediately reassuring English-speaking Quebecers that they were still welcome in the province, an integral part of its history. — Mordecai Richler, Atlantic, June 1983 She was too magnanimous to resent all the things others had said to her. a magnanimous donation to the town's animal shelter
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The donors were generally cheerful, embracing the opportunity to feel magnanimous while being relieved, by strangers, of a burdensome chore. — J. Robert Lennon, The New Yorker, "The Loop," 19 Aug. 2019 Remarks—thanking the Society’s magnanimous board members and evening’s chairs—were brief and dinner had not yet been served before partygoers got the party started. — Vogue, "Inside the Preservation Society of Newport’s Annual Gala—Where Multiple Generations Partied Into the Night," 16 Aug. 2019 According to Williamson, the government ought to act as a magnanimous provider. — Kayla Bartsch, National Review, "Marianne Williamson Offers Priestly Wisdom for a Nation Adrift — Seriously," 12 Aug. 2019 Teresa was known for her smile, which reflected her magnanimous spirit. — Frederick N. Rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "Teresa Lupinek, executive assistant to the president of UMBC, was also a talented artist," 11 Aug. 2019 Be magnanimous when family members express their desires and want to have their way. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive.com, "Horoscope for July 21, 2019: Happy birthday Diane Guerrero; Scorpio, now is the time to expand your horizons," 21 July 2019 On Chinese social media, a heady narrative, fuelled by nationalism, has emerged of the Communist Party as a magnanimous matriarch beset by circumstances to give up her child and Hong Kong as its pampered ingrate. — Jiayang Fan, The New Yorker, "Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Backs Down, but the Protests Continue," 17 June 2019 Gareth Southgate, the English team’s mild-mannered, magnanimous manager, has no such problem. — Sean Williams, The New Republic, "England’s World Cup Team: the Anti-Brexit," 10 July 2018 Someone that big and athletic, that skilled and intelligent, that magnanimous on the basketball court was unheard of. — Dan Grunfeld, SI.com, "LeBron James's Only Underrated Attribute: His Character," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'magnanimous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of magnanimous

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for magnanimous

Latin magnanimus, from magnus great + animus spirit — more at much, animate

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More Definitions for magnanimous

magnanimous

adjective
How to pronounce magnanimous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of magnanimous

formal : having or showing a generous and kind nature

See the full definition for magnanimous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

magnanimous

adjective
mag·​nan·​i·​mous | \ mag-ˈna-nÉ™-mÉ™s How to pronounce magnanimous (audio) \

Kids Definition of magnanimous

: generous and noble

Other Words from magnanimous

magnanimously adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on magnanimous

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with magnanimous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for magnanimous

Spanish Central: Translation of magnanimous

Nglish: Translation of magnanimous for Spanish Speakers

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