1
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bench
Kelsey Fitzsimmons bench trial Earlier this month a judge ruled that Fitzsimmons could move into an apartment on her own and begin the process of seeking custody of her now 1-year-old son.
—
Matt Schooley, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Cubs have two bench decisions remaining before submitting their 26-man roster Thursday morning.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
After three seasons buried on the Timberwolves’ bench behind a crew of talented big men, Garza has enjoyed a career year for the Celtics, serving as a valuable bench piece for one of the NBA’s best teams.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Reaves then returned to the Sharks’ bench to be treated by trainer Will Leonard, and later had to go back to the team’s dressing room.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Matt Schooley, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
The Cubs have two bench decisions remaining before submitting their 26-man roster Thursday morning.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
After three seasons buried on the Timberwolves’ bench behind a crew of talented big men, Garza has enjoyed a career year for the Celtics, serving as a valuable bench piece for one of the NBA’s best teams.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026
Reaves then returned to the Sharks’ bench to be treated by trainer Will Leonard, and later had to go back to the team’s dressing room.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
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The judge scheduled a court hearing for April 2 to consider approving the deal.—
Luc Cohen,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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The deal must still be approved by a judge.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The tribunal convicted eight other defendants of embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud and other charges and imposed tens of millions of dollars in restitution to the Holy See.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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The tribunal convicted eight other defendants of embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud and other charges and imposed tens of millions of euros (dollars) in restitution to the Holy See.—
Nicole Winfield,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Federal officials can then query that data and unmask the identities of Americans whose communications have been collected, a process critics say creates a backdoor way to search private citizens’ information without court approval.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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Agee is due back in court on March 26 for a probable cause conference and on April 2 for a preliminary examination.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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