altruism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altruism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing selfless concern for the well-being of others or actions taken for the benefit of others without personal gain. Example: "Her altruism was evident when she volunteered at the shelter every weekend, helping those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the case of the bats, the type of altruism on offer is fairly limited.

The Guardian

"And animals almost always display altruism to a member of the same group.

The Guardian

"And behaviours which helped the group such as altruism would be selected for genetically and passed down through the generations.

The Guardian

What both Heinrich's "sharing ravens' and the macaques of Kampur do provide is a window into the gradual evolution of one of the most human of traits – altruism.

The Guardian

Forms of altruism are hardwired into all creatures who live in social groups, in the same way that deep evolutionary instincts drive parents to quite extreme behaviour to ensure the survival of their offspring.

The Guardian

Like much of animal altruism, this is actually a long-term insurance policy, a favour which is expected to be reciprocated when the time comes.

The Guardian

In the majority of creatures, altruism is mostly driven by inherently selfish motives linked to survival.

The Guardian

Other than behave with saintly altruism and give it to the people of the Philippines' Leyte province, say, or use it to stamp out malaria?

The Guardian - Opinion

These regions form what we call the "social brain" and there are two in particular which are critical for altruism.

The Guardian

A second rule is that reforms rarely result from altruism alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps this is his altruism coming out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To showcase "altruism" in your writing, illustrate its effects through specific actions and outcomes, demonstrating how it benefits individuals or communities.

Common error

Be cautious in labeling an action as "altruism" without considering underlying motives. Sometimes, actions that appear selfless may have hidden benefits or expectations of reciprocity, diminishing the pure intent of "altruism".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "altruism" is that of a noun. It refers to a concept, specifically the principle or practice of unselfish concern for others. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English to denote selfless actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Altruism" is a frequently used term, as indicated by Ludwig's analysis. Defined as selfless concern for others, it's grammatically correct and versatile in different contexts. Usage spans news, science, and business, with a neutral to formal tone. When writing about "altruism", ensure actions are genuinely selfless, and motivations are clear. Common synonyms include "selflessness" and "philanthropy", but remember that "altruism" itself is the best choice when you wish to specifically highlight actions done purely for the benefit of others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selflessness

Emphasizes the lack of concern for oneself in actions.

benevolence

Highlights the intention or desire to do good to others.

philanthropy

Focuses on charitable giving and actions to improve society.

compassion

Stresses the feeling of empathy and concern for the suffering of others.

humanitarianism

Refers to the active effort to promote human welfare.

charity

Highlights the act of giving help to those in need.

generosity

Emphasizes the willingness to give resources or time freely.

kindness

Focuses on gentle, caring behavior towards others.

goodwill

Highlights the benevolent disposition and intention.

self-sacrifice

Emphasizes giving up personal comfort or advantage for others.

FAQs

What is the definition of "altruism"?

"Altruism" refers to the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others.

How to use "altruism" in a sentence?

You can use "altruism" to describe actions or behaviors that benefit others at a cost to oneself, such as, "Her "selflessness" was evident in her tireless work for the homeless."

What are some synonyms for "altruism"?

Some synonyms for "altruism" include "selflessness", "philanthropy", and "benevolence".

How does "altruism" differ from selfishness?

"Altruism" is the opposite of selfishness. While "altruism" involves acting for the benefit of others, selfishness involves acting primarily for one's own benefit.