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
The Lakers could waive one of their fringe bench players, including Dalton Knecht (fully guaranteed through next season), forward/center Maxi Kleber ($11 million salary in 2025-2026) or Bronny James to make room for a free-agent acquisition.
—
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Rookie watch The first player off the Magic bench for a second game in a row, first-round pick Jase Richardson hit a wide-open triple from the top of the key late in the first quarter.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
However, Goldschmidt’s return could make the Yankees’ bench too crowded for Domínguez, who has a minor league option.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
On the flip side, the Red Sox also have hardly any outfield depth behind those five who are well suited for a big league bench job.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Rookie watch The first player off the Magic bench for a second game in a row, first-round pick Jase Richardson hit a wide-open triple from the top of the key late in the first quarter.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
However, Goldschmidt’s return could make the Yankees’ bench too crowded for Domínguez, who has a minor league option.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
On the flip side, the Red Sox also have hardly any outfield depth behind those five who are well suited for a big league bench job.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
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The plaintiffs argue that the way the government operates the dams violates the Endangered Species Act, and over decades of litigation judges have repeatedly ordered changes to help the fish.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
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The judge has not yet ruled on the defense motion to change venue.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Republican parties have already appealed the decision to the state’s Appellate Division and also directly to the state’s highest tribunal, the Court of Appeals in Albany.—
Jeffrey M. Wice,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
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During the two-year investigation, former manager David Moyes, who acted as a witness in Paqueta’s tribunal hearing, and his team-mates provided a safe haven at the training ground.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Andrii Yakovliev, a defense counsel and expert on international humanitarian and criminal law at the Media Initiative for Human Rights, a Ukrainian NGO, told CNN that Ukraine ensures the conditions are in place for a fair trial, and that, in general, the country’s courts respect due process.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Fulton County has filed a court motion to get the records back.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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