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
As for the other tests: Nothing meaningful in Cinebench R23, while DDR5 wins at the HandBrake bench.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
Both benches and bullpens emptied in the seventh inning, and Jung Hoo Lee dragged Flores away from the front line before the situation escalated.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 June 2025
If the position players stay largely healthy, Hoyer’s front office can focus on bench options, since third baseman Matt Shaw has seized that job.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 June 2025
When the team was struggling, Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly was rumored as a candidate to take over for manager John Schneider.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bench
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 June 2025
Both benches and bullpens emptied in the seventh inning, and Jung Hoo Lee dragged Flores away from the front line before the situation escalated.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 June 2025
If the position players stay largely healthy, Hoyer’s front office can focus on bench options, since third baseman Matt Shaw has seized that job.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 June 2025
When the team was struggling, Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly was rumored as a candidate to take over for manager John Schneider.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
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Before his death, Payne recorded episodes as a guest judge on the series that is hosted by Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, with Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls) serving as mentor-judge and Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland also serving as a guest judge.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
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Had Johnson, 35, been found guilty of murder at trial, a jury or judge would have assessed punishment at between 25 and 99 years, or life, in prison.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2025
Noun
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In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague dismissed China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
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Hasina and her Awami League party had earlier criticized the tribunal and its prosecution team for their connection with political parties, especially with the Jamaat-e-Islami party.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Just as an adult who commits a crime is brought before a court commissioner and then sent before a judge for a bail review to determine their eligibility for release, these juvenile offenders should be treated in the same manner.—
Ivan J. Bates,
Baltimore Sun,
30 June 2025
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Brown and his two brothers, then 17 and 18, were walking home on May 20, 2024 when two gunmen opened fire on them, court documents state.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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