1
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bench
The lineup and bench appear deeper this year, what with Ramón Laureano on the team from the outset, Manny Machado looking fully healthy and newcomer Ty France hitting the ball hard.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
The Clippers' bench outscored the Warriors' reserves 71-56.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Biggest concern Other than the fact that Orlando’s starters just lost to eight Celtics bench players in a game the Magic needed to win for playoff seeding?
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
That much was clear from the enthusiasm on Denver’s bench Sunday, and from the effort put forth by Jokic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
The Clippers' bench outscored the Warriors' reserves 71-56.
—CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Biggest concern Other than the fact that Orlando’s starters just lost to eight Celtics bench players in a game the Magic needed to win for playoff seeding?
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
That much was clear from the enthusiasm on Denver’s bench Sunday, and from the effort put forth by Jokic.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
-
The pretrial testimony came as Robinson’s attorneys pressed a Utah judge to ban cameras from his case.—
Matthew Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The judge was furious, setting Baldwin free.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2021, Peru’s electoral tribunal proclaimed first-round results 37 days after the April 11 vote.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
On Christmas Day, a military tribunal sentenced him to death and executed him by firing squad.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Multi-faceted bill Among other things, the bill creates a new, private right of action that would allow citizens to file civil lawsuits against ICE agents in court.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The entire Heat bench went out to check on their center, who then was helped off the court and into the locker room alongside Heat physician Harlan Selesnick.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
