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Meaning & use

the greater good

noun·Advanced

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UK/ðə ˌɡreɪ.tə ˈɡʊd/
US/ðə ˌɡreɪ.t̬ɚ ˈɡʊd/

Meanings

  1. nounsingular

    The benefit of a larger group or society as a whole, treated as more important than the interests of one person or a few.

    Grammar: Singular, usually with for or of: for the greater good.

    Patterns

    • for the greater good
    • serve the greater good

    Residents accepted the noise as a sacrifice for the greater good.

    Some argue that lying can be justified for the greater good.

    She gave up her seat on the board for the greater good of the company.

  2. nounsingulardisapproving

    Used sarcastically for an excuse covering selfish or harmful actions.

    Grammar: Typically in a questioning or doubtful tone.

    Patterns

    • claim something is for the greater good

    The politician claimed the cuts were for the greater good, but nobody believed him.

    Hiding the data was hardly for the greater good.

    Beware leaders who invoke the greater good to silence critics.

Common combinations

for the greater good
They moved the school for the greater good.
serve the greater good
Laws should serve the greater good.
sacrifice for the greater good
It was a painful sacrifice for the greater good.
believe in the greater good
She truly believes in the greater good.
in the name of the greater good
Crimes were committed in the name of the greater good.

Synonyms and how they differ

the common good
The common good stresses shared benefit, while the greater good implies weighing one side against a bigger one.
public interest
Public interest is more formal and legal, used in law and policy.
collective welfare
Collective welfare is more academic and focuses on well-being.

Opposites

self-interestpersonal gain

Word family

good noun
benefit or advantage
greater adjective
larger in amount or importance
utilitarianism noun
the ethical idea of the greatest good for the most people

Commonly confused: the greater good or the lesser evil?

the greater good vs the lesser evil

The lesser evil is the less harmful of two bad choices; the greater good is the benefit of the larger group.

Practice

The residents agreed to move their gardens aside ____ the greater good of the village.

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