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 reporting shows that the agency’s founder, Luis E. Perez, cast himself as a benefactor for immigrant workers, but in many cases his firms cheated them out of wages and stole their tax payments.

From New York Times

The latest wording removes the words "celebrating him as a city benefactor" from the first sentence, which some members of the committee objected to.

From BBC

The grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman and owner of a prestigious talent agency, he is seen as critical to wooing benefactors and corporate sponsors.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

Related Words

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