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Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing

altruism

noun / AL-troo-iz-uhm / Medium
Meaning

Selfless concern for the wellbeing of others; unselfish regard as a principle of action.

Origin / Etymology

From French altruisme, coined by Auguste Comte from Italian altrui, of or to others, from Latin alter, other.

Synonyms
selflessness benevolence philanthropy compassion
Antonyms
selfishness egoism self-interest greed
Example Sentence
"The pandemic saw remarkable altruism as ordinary citizens organised oxygen supplies and community kitchens for strangers."
🎯 UPSC Usage

A foundational concept for GS4 ethics answers on emotional intelligence, values, and public service motivation. Use it to explain civic behaviour, for example, 'a spirit of altruism, not just incentives, sustains volunteer-driven disaster relief.'

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