1
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tribunal
an assembly of persons for the administration of justice
a ruling from the bench is expected any day now
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 bench
While his playing time fluctuated, Clarkson was a dependable bench piece after signing a one-year deal with the Knicks last offseason.
—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
But despite being banished to the AEW bench for two years, Danhausen defied the odds through his one-man merchandising empire.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Years after his dad’s reformation, Jonah sits on a bench at the Broncos’ practice facility in Dove Valley, gazing out at the green expanse of his future.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
After the court’s recent ruling limiting the Voting Rights Act, some Democrats including former Vice President Harris have issued calls to expand the court’s nine-seat bench.
—
NBC news,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2026
But despite being banished to the AEW bench for two years, Danhausen defied the odds through his one-man merchandising empire.
—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Years after his dad’s reformation, Jonah sits on a bench at the Broncos’ practice facility in Dove Valley, gazing out at the green expanse of his future.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
After the court’s recent ruling limiting the Voting Rights Act, some Democrats including former Vice President Harris have issued calls to expand the court’s nine-seat bench.
—
NBC news,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
-
If someone does not have a final order of removal, then there's a removal proceedings process and that starts with them being issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge.
-
The district attorney’s office has claimed in court filings that prosecutors maintain older records of juvenile delinquency proceedings that are not available to the myriad other people vetting claims in the settlement, including multiple judges and the State Bar.
Noun
-
The South China Sea tribunal in 2016 in the Hague has ruled that China cannot legally occupy the shoal.
-
The former Sweden youth international took her appeal to CAS after losing her initial claim at a FIFA tribunal.
Noun
-
Those arrested for criminal conduct must be held accountable in our court system.
-
The court was also shown a surveillance video from a day before the hearing where Porter was seen attacking a juvenile court staffer and trying to escape.
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
