Lexic.us

Definition of Do-gooder

1. Noun. Someone devoted to the promotion of human welfare and to social reforms.

Definition of Do-gooder

1. Noun. (derogatory) One who advocates or performs what they believe to be the morally superior course of action, even in the face of overwhelming experience or factual evidence that its effect is only irrelevant or harmful. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Do-gooder

Literary usage of Do-gooder

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Other Invisible Hand: Remaking Charity for the 21st Century by Geoff Mulgan, Charles Landry (1995)
"‘do-gooder' has become a word of abuse and suspicion, as has ‘professional do-gooder', which implies someone who is interfering rather than enabling. ..."

2. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"1974 the Supervisor in charge of this type office — Arthur S. Aubry, Jr., Police, January—February 1968 a nagging sensation of do-gooder type ..."

3. Parents, Peers and Pot II: Parents in Action by Marsha Manatt (1996)
"Cynical political observers predicted that the whole "naive do-gooder" effort would fail and that the proposed laws would be shredded by opposition lawyers. ..."

4. Yen for Development: Japanese Foreign Aid & the Politics of Burden-sharing by Shafiqul Islam (1991)
"... do-gooder America when it was strong, the argument goes, today's rich and strong Japan should pay back part of its debt by giving America, the weakened ..."

5. Hackoff.com: An Historic Murder Mystery Set in the Internet Bubble and Rubble by Tom Evslin (2006)
"... 'managing for profitability' and Larry's a do-gooder," says Donna. "This mean everybody's growing up? Might not be fun to work around here anymore. ..."

6. Wind, Water, Sun: A Solo Kayak Journey Along Baja California's Desert Coastline by Ed Darack (1998)
"Once I caught my breath, Mike turned to me, and in a feigned do-gooder voice, whispered “Um. . . Ed, you know you should always register with the proper ..."

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