magnanimous

[ mag-nan-uh-muhs ]

adjective

1. generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness:

   to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.

   Synonyms: kindly, charitable, big

2. high-minded; noble:

   a just and magnanimous ruler.

3. proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.:

   a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.

magnanimous

/ mæɡˈnænɪməs /

adjective

1. generous and noble

Derived Forms

• magˈnanimousness, noun
• magˈnanimously, adverb

Other Words From

• mag·nani·mous·ly adverb
• mag·nani·mous·ness noun
• unmag·nani·mous adjective
• unmag·nani·mous·ly adverb
• unmag·nani·mous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnanimous¹

First recorded in 1540–60; from Latin magnanimus “great-souled,” equivalent to magn(us) “great” + anim(us) “spirit, soul, mind” + -us adjective suffix; magn-, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnanimous¹

C16: from Latin magnanimus great-souled

Synonym Study

See noble.

Example Sentences

“Unfortunately, the supposedly magnanimous MrBeast did not want to use ... alleged unconstrained resources to provide fair wages, or even bare-minimum-legal working conditions, to the contestants whose labor comprised the core commercial value of Beast Games.”

From Los Angeles Times

There's something magnanimous about the way Bon forgives his friend without condition, or because he knows that what they've gone through forces people to say things and think things when they know better.

From Salon

I don’t think Barrymore intended any harm, quite the opposite, and the vice president was magnanimous, taking the comment in stride and with good cheer.

From Seattle Times

I aspire to be magnanimous; I also have my limits.

From Salon

Or will they adopt a magnanimous approach and share the cash with the outbound schools?

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• altruistic
• charitable
• considerate
• forgiving
• selfless
• unselfish
• unstinting