benefactor

[ ben-uh-fak-ter, ben-uh-fak- ]

noun

1. a person who confers a benefit; kindly helper.
2. a person who makes a bequest or endowment, as to an institution.

   Synonyms: protector, backer, sponsor, supporter, patron

benefactor

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfæk-; ˈbɛnɪˌfæktə /

noun

1. a person who supports or helps a person, institution, etc, esp by giving money; patron

Derived Forms

• ˈbeneˌfactress, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of benefactor¹

1425–75; late Middle English benefactour < Late Latin; bene-, factor

Example Sentences

The Tesla head and Trump benefactor reportedly joined in on a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.

From Salon

Meanwhile, in the Mar-a-Lago stolen classified documents case, prosecutors drew a Trump-appointed judge willing to go to any and every length to protect her benefactor, up to and including dismissing the case on a novel and concocted theory about the illegality of special counsels themselves.

From Slate

That, or he hated campaigning and knew he had plenty of money from his billionaire benefactor Peter Thiel.

From Salon

Kim Jong Un’s regime would certainly struggle to survive without its biggest benefactor, China, which accounts for more than 90% of foreign trade, including food and fuel.

From BBC

“Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, North Korea hasn’t really had any choice but to maintain good relations with China, which has been its sole benefactor,” Mr Green says.

From BBC

Related Words

• backer
• contributor
• patron
• philanthropist
• promoter
• protector
• supporter