Samaritan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Samaritan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who helps others, often in a selfless or charitable manner, drawing from the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. Example: "She acted like a true Samaritan when she volunteered to help the homeless shelter every weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Unless we get a good samaritan who might have known what has happened to these birds and comes forward, we're really struggling".

The Guardian

IN THE last ever episode of Seinfeld in case you somehow missed this year's big media event the show's four stars are tried for failing to help a mugging victim, under a freshly introduced "good Samaritan" law.

The Economist

Scholars ascribe the exacerbation of enmity in the restoration period variously to the Samaritans' being excluded from participating in the rebuilding of the Temple; to Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (regarded as a threatening act by the Samaritan authorities); or to the proscriptions of intermarriage by Ezra.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wellman's (1996) samaritan account of political legitimacy is an also an attempt to overcome the problem that showing that political institutions and the decisions made within them have beneficial consequences is not sufficient to justify coercion.

SEP

The thought is that because "political society is the only vehicle with which people can escape the perils of the state of nature" (Wellman 1996: 216), people have a samaritan duty to provide to one another the benefits of a state.

SEP

His suggestion is that the justification of the state can be grounded in the samaritan duty to help others in need.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mr Patch, in the thick of battle, automatically recalled the lessons heard on Sundays: Moses on Mount Sinai, the Good Samaritan.

The Economist

Chinese friends used to urge Lexington never to play Good Samaritan at an accident scene, insisting that anyone rich who stopped to help would be blamed for the victim's injuries and pursued for compensation.It is true that America faces grave problems.

The Economist

She once observed that the Good Samaritan in the gospel story was only able to offer help because he had the foresight to accumulate some wealth in the first place.

The Economist

In 1735, in line with the humanitarian concern that occupied enlightened opinion of the day, he was elected a governor of St .Bartholomew's Hospital, and he seized this opportunity to decorate the main staircase with two large religious works, Pool of Bethesda and The Good Samaritan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consider Mill's example of Good Samaritan laws.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Samaritan" in a general sense, consider if "Good Samaritan" better conveys the intended meaning of someone offering help to a stranger. For example, prefer "Good Samaritan law" instead of "Samaritan law" when referring to legal protections for those who assist in emergencies.

Common error

Be mindful of the religious and historical context of "Samaritan". Avoid using the term in a way that could perpetuate negative stereotypes or misrepresent the Samaritan people or their beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The word "Samaritan" functions primarily as a noun to denote a person from Samaria or, more commonly, a person who is compassionate and helpful to those in need, mirroring the biblical parable. It can also act as an adjective modifying nouns related to Samaria or Samaritans. Ludwig confirms that this word is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "Samaritan" is correctly used to describe someone from Samaria or, more generally, a helpful and compassionate person, often a stranger who offers aid. Ludwig AI confirms that "Samaritan" is usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from News & Media to Encyclopedias, and Science, with the "Good Samaritan" particularly prevalent in legal and ethical discussions. When using "Samaritan", be mindful of its cultural and historical background and consider if alternatives like "helpful person" or "compassionate individual" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context to improve the overall clarity of your writing. Always favor the term "Good Samaritan" over Samaritan when you want to refer to legal protection for those who assist in emergencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Good Samaritan

Specifies the 'good' quality, often referring to someone who helps strangers in need, derived from the biblical parable.

helpful person

A general term for someone who provides assistance.

altruistic individual

Emphasizes selflessness and concern for others.

compassionate being

Highlights the empathy and caring nature of the person.

benevolent soul

Stresses the kindness and goodwill of the individual.

humanitarian

Focuses on working to improve the lives of others, often on a larger scale.

Samaritan from Samaria

Emphasizes the geographical origin of the person.

member of the Samaritan community

Specifically refers to someone belonging to the Samaritan religious group.

one who embodies neighborly love

Highlights the quality of extending care and support to those around them, irrespective of who they are.

selfless caregiver

This phrase highlights the selfless nature and care giving aspect of the Samaritan.

FAQs

What does the term "Samaritan" mean?

The word "Samaritan" refers to a native or inhabitant of Samaria or, more commonly, a person who is compassionate and helpful, especially to strangers in need, derived from the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan.

How is the phrase "Good Samaritan" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, the phrase "Good Samaritan" often refers to laws that protect individuals who offer assistance in emergencies from being held liable for unintentional harm they may cause while providing help. See also: "Good Samaritan law".

What can I say instead of "Samaritan" to describe a helpful person?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "helpful person", "altruistic individual", or "compassionate person". If you specifically want to evoke the spirit of the biblical story, "Good Samaritan" is the most direct substitute.

Is it correct to use "Samaritan" to refer to someone from Samaria, even if they aren't helping anyone?

Yes, "Samaritan" can refer to someone from the region of Samaria, or someone who practices the Samaritan religion, regardless of their actions. However, in modern usage, it often implies a helpful and compassionate person, as in the phrase "Good Samaritan".