benevolent

adjective

bə-ˈnev-lənt How to pronounce benevolent (audio)
Definition of benevolentnext
1
as in compassionate
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others a benevolent willingness to provide veterinary services to low-income families at greatly reduced prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in charitable
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others a benevolent businessman who has donated money and time to helping inner-city youths

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of benevolent Socialists are counting on the promise of a society where all needs are met by a benevolent government to convert voters to their ranks. — Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026 Beyond this specific aspect, all on the team praised the benevolent and warm atmosphere in which the shooting took place. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 In his day, as in ours, a dominant narrative portrayed scientific development as both benevolent and inevitable. — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 The Musk Myth How Hollywood burnished the entrepreneur’s image as a benevolent genius. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolent
  1. compassionate
  2. charitable
  3. kind
  4. philanthropic
  5. sympathetic
  6. humanitarian
  7. humane
  8. good
Adjective
  • Others discussed overcoming the initial awkwardness of the work and finding satisfaction in helping doctors become more competent and compassionate.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, the lawsuits contend that chatbots are pretending to be agreeable and compassionate while preying on the vulnerable and on teenagers, the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence.
    — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Ford Motor Company has its own charitable arm, Ford Philanthropy, which is funded by the company’s earnings.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Another friend, Wanda Love, was a longtime head of a local chamber of commerce who participated in charitable causes.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • Shapira paints a picture of a kinder, gentler war, where technology takes soldiers away from the trenches and from the tanks, to a chair behind a screen.
    — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Five days after Bela Bajaria was fired as Netflix‘s Chief Content Officer and replaced by Peter Rice, Ted Sarandos had nothing but kind words for his former loyal lieutenant, kinda.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • That would have been even a few more million bucks on top of what already looks more like a philanthropic civic act more than a savvy investment on Tullman’s impassioned part, but an enthusiastic punter can dream.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • Amy Adams’s Chrissie is more sympathetic and less interesting.
    — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The investment in Sasha and Morgan has almost outgrown that of Joanne and Noah, and Lupe is sympathetic to the cause.
    — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sympathetic
Adjective
  • The subsequent Israel-Hamas war has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The conflict created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, and killed more than 150,000 people.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • The bill also calls for humane placement of animals and assistance for displaced workers.
    — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • There are also no state laws that say pet owners must dispose of their deceased animals in a humane manner, according to The Pet Memorial.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of humane
Adjective
  • SpaceX shares jumped nearly 8% on Wednesday, their best single-session performance since August.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The two musicians are so good at aping the sounds they were raised on that originality and reference become one and the same.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of good

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Cite this Entry

“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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