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 proved pivotal, specifically relating to the damage those absences do to Denver’s bench — which is where the Wolves won the game.
—
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Andrew Nembhard, Benedict Mathurin and Shaedon Sharpe could be the most talented bench trio in the tournament outside of Team USA.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
With Tatis, third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts officially off to the World Baseball Classic, the fight for seemingly one bench spot available will come into focus over the next two weeks.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
But Hazel followed Lilian to a bench.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
Andrew Nembhard, Benedict Mathurin and Shaedon Sharpe could be the most talented bench trio in the tournament outside of Team USA.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
With Tatis, third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts officially off to the World Baseball Classic, the fight for seemingly one bench spot available will come into focus over the next two weeks.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
But Hazel followed Lilian to a bench.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
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Lesli Boese told the judge Thursday that Casap was too dangerous to ever be released from prison.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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The Justice Department told a federal appeals court that judges who blocked executive orders sanctioning several law firms had infringed on the president’s authority.—
Mark Berman,
Washington Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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China holds Tibet without noticeable bother, commits crimes against its Uyghur Muslim minority with impunity, launches acts of aggression against its neighbors in the South China Sea, and growls off any court or tribunal that looks askance—which few do.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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His mock tribunal about Congo, which was performed in 2015 with real judges, real witnesses, and a genuine verdict, led to two ministers being dismissed from the government.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The District Attorney’s office dismissed all charges related to those arrests, court records show.—
Julia Coin
March 3,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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If Khan violates the terms of his probation, the court could impose the eight-year prison sentence, according to the District Attorney’s Office.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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