Gloss · Words · Magnanimous

magnanimous

mæɡˈnænɪməsadjective

What does magnanimous mean?

Generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival.

Magnanimous, six ways

PlainGenerous and forgiving, especially toward a rival.
ADHDBig-hearted. Wins and still kind. Forgives.
Gen ZBeing gracious when you could gloat. The rarest flex.
MetaphorA hand offered from the top of the podium.
FormalGenerous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.
Like I’m 5Being kind and forgiving even to someone who was against you. That’s magnanimous.

How to pronounce magnanimous

mag-NAN-uh-mus/mæɡˈnænɪməs/

Magnanimous in a sentence

The winner was magnanimous in victory.
The magnanimous loser shook every hand.
It was a magnanimous gesture after a bitter campaign.

Synonyms for magnanimous

generousFree with what you have.
graciousKind and courteous, especially in public.
forgivingLets a wrong go.

Benevolent vs magnanimous: Benevolent means well. Magnanimous forgives, from a position of strength. The difference, in plain English.

Where magnanimous comes from

Latin. Magnus, great, and animus, mind, soul.

Good to know

Literally great-souled. It shows when there is something to be petty about: after a victory, or after being wronged.

Magnanimous meaning, on a Gloss card: Generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival.

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Words like magnanimous

benevolent · fastidious · capricious · melancholy · luminous · redolent · All 110 words

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