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

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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 That’s especially noteworthy with sloths, their adorable faces in a permanently benevolent expression. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2026 The vaunted ability of mass media to unify the globe here comes off as a benevolent form of tyranny, of a consensual unanimity in which the bearer of truth gains total attention, total acceptance, and total gratitude. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 Even though there are other siblings in the Fak family that make an appearance on The Bear, these brothers take center stage for their occasional quarreling and their benevolent behavior toward each other. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026 The teaser also offers glimpses of Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean, the ex-convict who rebuilds his life as a benevolent industrialist, and Tahar Rahim as Inspector Javert, Valjean’s relentless nemesis. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 July 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
  • Weeks’ mother described her daughter as passionate about music and justice, witty and compassionate.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • Republican lawmakers also targeted a charitable state fund that provides financial assistance for low-income people to get civil legal aid.
    — Diamy Wang July 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • Inside is super-clean and nice, and the servers were very kind and attentive.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
  • The two brothers have had nothing but kind things to say about each other, and have managed to fend off any chatter about a sibling rivalry.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • The expansion is possible because Hartford Hospital received a $250,000 grant through The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund by The Cigna Group Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group go to the Food4Health program.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026
  • Andre Dowell is founder and president of the National Philanthropic Foundation, advancing philanthropic legacy, next generation leadership, and civic understanding.
    — Andre Dowell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • The most remarkable performance in the film, however, may be that of real-life counselor Annette Deao, whose firm hand and sympathetic guidance lend Union County its stoic nature.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • Ever since Hayden Herrera published her landmark biography of Frida in 1983, Kahlo has been perceived as a sympathetic figure.
    — Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of sympathetic
Adjective
  • Dasilva said Donizete had been working in the US state of Georgia after fleeing Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • Nearby, Mariana Roufett packed boxes of humanitarian aid while thinking about her childhood friend and her family, who remain missing.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • Complex, intricate, and at all times realistic and humane, Famous Men is the pinnacle of the attempt to capture this specific and yet, all too universal, formative experience of enmeshment, devotion, and ego-death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
  • His goal was to build a socialist movement that would eventually pull the Democratic Party toward more humane domestic and foreign policies.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026
Definition of humane
Adjective
  • The next best thing to intravenous intervention when dehydrated is Liquid IV.
    — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Our best guess is that there might be a little bit of recognition for the youngest generations, too, watching all those clips — as in, Holy cow, Austin Powers was real!
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of benevolent for Spanish Speakers

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