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

His preference to sweat it out, however well-meaning, had grown untenable. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

The failure of states and cities to follow federal direction on minimum wage exemptions for teen summer jobs is one more example of well-meaning worker protection rules negatively impacting career launch and economic mobility. — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

So, too, does the idea that a soccer coach could close fissures that even the well-meaning among career politicians have failed to seal. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

There must be something magical about Block Island after all, but only time will tell if that magic will extend to Jo-Ellen and Rulla, who still doubts that Jo-Ellen’s proof was well-meaning. — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for well-meaning

• careening
• convening
• demeaning
• housecleaning
• machining
• unmeaning
• cleaning
• gleaning
• greening
• keening
• leaning
• meaning

Kids Definition

well-meaning

adjective

well-mean·​ing

-ˈmē-niŋ

: having or based on good intentions