1
as in judges
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 benches
The ambitious plan calls for widening the sidewalks, reducing traffic lanes to three from the current five, adding trees, planters, benches, improved lighting and infrastructure to reduce the impact of storms, and possibly adding more vehicle-free weekends.
—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
Sensory gardens with calming nature sounds, plants kids are welcome to touch and benches are available to help guests reset in a less stimulating environment.
—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
After Minnesota built a big lead, both teams cleared their benches late in the fourth quarter.
—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Companies gain lower recruitment costs, stronger leadership benches and higher retention.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Below, discover more popular porch swings, gliders, and benches that instantly spruce up outdoor spaces.
—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
There were bicycles and benches, a big wooden house, and more trees all around.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
The policy establishes guidelines on student expression spaces, including spirit rocks, parking spaces, murals and benches.
—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
There are family-style rooms with bunk beds, suites with larger seating areas, single-bed rooms with window benches, A-frame lodges with sunken living spaces, and Blue Lagoon skincare and haircare in all of the bathrooms.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
David Moin,
Footwear News,
22 June 2026
Sensory gardens with calming nature sounds, plants kids are welcome to touch and benches are available to help guests reset in a less stimulating environment.
—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
After Minnesota built a big lead, both teams cleared their benches late in the fourth quarter.
—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Companies gain lower recruitment costs, stronger leadership benches and higher retention.
—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Below, discover more popular porch swings, gliders, and benches that instantly spruce up outdoor spaces.
—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
There were bicycles and benches, a big wooden house, and more trees all around.
—
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
The policy establishes guidelines on student expression spaces, including spirit rocks, parking spaces, murals and benches.
—
Zaire Breedlove,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
There are family-style rooms with bunk beds, suites with larger seating areas, single-bed rooms with window benches, A-frame lodges with sunken living spaces, and Blue Lagoon skincare and haircare in all of the bathrooms.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benches
Noun
-
At least 17 cases are still pending, with judges denying defense dismissal motions in several of them.
-
Andrade landed her double-twisting Yurchenko vault cleanly with a small step, earning a massive score from the judges.
Noun
-
In 1996, the United Nations selected her as chief prosecutor of the international criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
-
Located just 2 miles away from the former insurance building that housed the residual mechanism, the ICC was set up as a permanent, global court to prosecute humanity’s worst crimes and forestall the need to create ad hoc tribunals for every conflict.
Noun
-
During Glossip's time on death row, Oklahoma courts set nine different execution dates for him.
-
And so there's a little bit of a debate going on right now about the degree to which Americans' safety is going to be in danger depending on how these secretive courts rule about extending or renewing other certifications.
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
