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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

greater good en · NOUN

Meanings

  1. The benefit of the public, of more people than a singular person or a small amount of people (especially if it requires some expense or sacrifice).
    • Cutting pensions is for the greater good of all citizens.
    • Moral powers therefore, and their improvements, must be the chief object of that infinitely good being's care and concern, whole scope in creating is the greater good of the whole. 1740, George Turnbull, The Principles of Moral Philosophy: In Two Volumes, volume II, London: J. Noon, page 49:
    • That word, however: protected. It applies to some, but not all, of its animal inhabitants. Each year, a specific number are set aside for sacrifice, for the greater good. 2026 April 21, Cal Flyn, “On the trail with the hunters who believe shooting big game can save Africa’s wildlife”, in The Guardian:
    • They are perfectly satisfied with the greater good for which they sacrifice the less good. 1824, Luke, “The self-denial of the Lord Jesus Christ”, in The Christian Magazine, volume I, Providence: Barnum Field, page 183:

Relateds

common good

Translations (13)

he טובת הכלל (benefit of the public) · fi yhteinen hyvä (benefit of the public) · sv gemensamma bästa (benefit of the public) · es mayor bien (benefit of the public) · es bien de todos (benefit of the public) · ja より大きな善 (benefit of the public) · hi अधिक से अधिक अच्छे (benefit of the public) · ko 더 좋은 (benefit of the public) · es bien mayor (benefit of the public) · pl dobro wspólne (benefit of the public) · pt bem maior (benefit of the public) · es bien común (benefit of the public) · ru о́бщее бла́го (benefit of the public)