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altruismthe belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæltruɪzəm/

Example Sentences

  • The superhero's altruism was questionable when he started charging for rescues.
  • Many volunteers demonstrate altruism by helping disaster victims without expecting anything in return.
  • His altruism was so extreme that he gave away his lunch money and then fainted from hunger during the charity speech.

altruism

NOUN

[/ˈæltruɪzəm/]

the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others

Holding his only umbrella over the freezing stray dog in the pouring rain was an act of pure altruism.
💡 Concept

Holding his only umbrella over the freezing stray dog in the pouring rain was an act of pure altruism.

ALTRU(others) + ISM(belief) — holding to his ISM, he gave his last apple to ALTRU(others), displaying pure altruism.
🧠 Mnemonic

ALTRU(others) + ISM(belief) — holding to his ISM, he gave his last apple to ALTRU(others), displaying pure altruism.

Looking through the glowing magical prism, the greedy monster suddenly felt pure altruism and freed the birds.
🎵 Rhyme

Looking through the glowing magical prism, the greedy monster suddenly felt pure altruism and freed the birds.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈæltruɪzəm/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈæltruɪzəm/

🌳Etymology

Rootalter
Suffix--ism

Origin

From French 'altruisme', coined in the 19th century by philosopher Auguste Comte. It derives from the Latin 'alter' meaning 'other' or 'another person'.

Breakdown

alt- (other, from Latin alter) + -ru- (from French 'autrui' meaning 'other people') + -ism (doctrine or practice) = altruism

🎵Rhyme

heroismpatriotismcriticism
heroism
patriotism
criticism

🔗Collocations

pure altruism
practice altruism
altruism and selfishness
evolutionary altruism
genuine altruism
altruism toward others

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The superhero's altruism was questionable when he started charging for rescues.

Many volunteers demonstrate altruism by helping disaster victims without expecting anything in return.

😄 Fun example

His altruism was so extreme that he gave away his lunch money and then fainted from hunger during the charity speech.

The research examined whether true altruism exists or if all good deeds have selfish motives.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

selflessnessphilanthropybenevolencegenerositycompassion

Antonyms

selfishnessegoismnarcissism

Related

altruistichumanitariancharitableempathysacrifice

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