1
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of bench
That’s when a rundown play happened, and both benches emptied.
—
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
What started as a drive to find working-class candidates outside the party’s usual bench is now a potential problem for Democrats everywhere, not least because Platner has no intention of heeding pressure to step aside.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
Madina Okot, Isobel Borlase and Sika Kone combined for 29 points off the bench as Atlanta finished with 40 total bench points.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 7 June 2026
In Tennessee, the city of Chattanooga is funding community ideas to increase connection and time in nature, including benches where people can speak with volunteer listeners.
—Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
What started as a drive to find working-class candidates outside the party’s usual bench is now a potential problem for Democrats everywhere, not least because Platner has no intention of heeding pressure to step aside.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 June 2026
Madina Okot, Isobel Borlase and Sika Kone combined for 29 points off the bench as Atlanta finished with 40 total bench points.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 7 June 2026
In Tennessee, the city of Chattanooga is funding community ideas to increase connection and time in nature, including benches where people can speak with volunteer listeners.
—Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
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Cushing, who was 26 at the time, then turned himself in after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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The request was granted three months later by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, according to a filing reviewed by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In 2024, a Canadian tribunal held Air Canada liable for misleading information given to a grieving customer by its chatbot, establishing that companies can be liable for what their AI tells the public.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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Located just 2 miles away from the former insurance building that housed the residual mechanism, the ICC was set up as a permanent, global court to prosecute humanity’s worst crimes and forestall the need to create ad hoc tribunals for every conflict.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
There are six villas, a restaurant flanked by a saltwater pool and waterslide, a clubhouse, a spa and another lawn tennis court.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
As courts weigh transgender military bans and states restrict gender-affirming care, some corporations retreat from sponsorship while local businesses step up to keep hometown Pride celebrations funded and visible.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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