Phrase guide

greater good

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 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).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Cutting pensions is for the greater good of all citizens.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: yhteinen hyvä — benefit of the public
  • Hebrew: טובת הכלל — benefit of the public
  • Hindi: अधिक से अधिक अच्छे (adhik se adhik acche) — benefit of the public
  • Japanese: より大きな善 — benefit of the public
  • Korean: 더 좋은 (deo jo'eun) — benefit of the public
  • Polish: dobro wspólne — benefit of the public
  • Portuguese: bem maior — benefit of the public
  • Russian: о́бщее бла́го (óbščeje blágo) — benefit of the public
  • Spanish: bien común — benefit of the public
  • Spanish: bien mayor — benefit of the public
  • Spanish: mayor bien — benefit of the public
  • Spanish: bien de todos — benefit of the public
  • Swedish: gemensamma bästa — benefit of the public