1
as in judges
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 tribunals
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 benches
That wasn't the only basketball brawl in Kentucky this week, as a high school game had fisticuffs and benches clearing.
—
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Typically, those areas house encampments or individuals sleeping in doorways and park benches.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
On Thursday mornings, my high school’s upper grades gathered in our meetinghouse—a spartan, Italianate-style building whose wooden benches bore the etchings of a century and a half of antsy pencils and fingernails—and, for an hour, sat in near-total silence.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
The plaza is also set to include additional benches to meet demand for seating, particularly during busy times like the weekly farmers market.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The passenger seats had been removed and benches installed along the walls.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Florida is just 47-19 playing in an arena where the court is raised and team benches are located on the baselines.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
There are benches along the entirety of the hike, too.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Best Amazon Outlet Outdoor Deals Although the weather is cold and dreary, now is the time to get the hottest deals on outdoor items, especially garden tools, potting benches, and planters.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Typically, those areas house encampments or individuals sleeping in doorways and park benches.
—Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2026
On Thursday mornings, my high school’s upper grades gathered in our meetinghouse—a spartan, Italianate-style building whose wooden benches bore the etchings of a century and a half of antsy pencils and fingernails—and, for an hour, sat in near-total silence.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
The plaza is also set to include additional benches to meet demand for seating, particularly during busy times like the weekly farmers market.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The passenger seats had been removed and benches installed along the walls.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
Florida is just 47-19 playing in an arena where the court is raised and team benches are located on the baselines.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2026
There are benches along the entirety of the hike, too.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
Best Amazon Outlet Outdoor Deals Although the weather is cold and dreary, now is the time to get the hottest deals on outdoor items, especially garden tools, potting benches, and planters.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benches
Noun
-
Regardless of which party is calling for the impeachment of judges, the outcome is unlikely to result in a conviction by the Senate.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
RuPaul’s Drag Race features mainstay judges RuPaul Charles, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Ross Mathews, and Ts Madison.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several oil companies sought compensation through international tribunals and arbitrators.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Nuremberg trials also helped to establish precedents used in later international criminal tribunals, including those in the wake of the Bosnian war and Rwandan genocide, and influenced the formation of the International Criminal Court, which began operating in 2002 in The Hague.—
B.B. Blaber,
The Conversation,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The Department of Justice last month sued the clerk of the Fulton County superior and magistrate courts in federal court seeking access to documents from the 2020 election in the county.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Budapest Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday asked the courts to level a fine against Karacsony for stepping in to co-organize the event under the auspices of the capital municipality, according a statement published on Wednesday.—
Thomas Escritt,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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