well-meaning

adjective

well-mean·​ing ˈwel-ˈmē-niŋ 

1

: having good intentions

well-meaning but misguided idealists

2

: based on good intentions

well-meaning advice

Examples of well-meaning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the Hur report came out, that was directly critical of Biden and referred to him as a well-meaning old man with memory issues. —Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 8 July 2024

As the well-meaning mother of a teenage son discovering himself in the social media stone age, Chen really shines. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 28 June 2024

These are well-meaning lessons, if by now wearyingly familiar ones. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024

Ask Amy: My 32-year-old, married daughter lives in my basement — but just won’t grow up Is there a courteous way to tell these well-meaning people that waterborne travel is not in my future, ever? —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

well-meaning

adjective

well-mean·​ing

-ˈmē-niŋ

: having or based on good intentions