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
Consider rearranging the seating to face each other and incorporating creative seating options, such as benches, ottomans, and garden stools.
—
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Add function with slim drop zones using hooks, benches, or flip-down seating.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Yet, here in NYC, benches at bus shelters can seat no more than three.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The doors open up to an antechamber set with chairs and benches.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Expect leather benches, custom drapery, rattan rocking chairs, and oversize armoires that discreetly conceal the tile-and-marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and bamboo shades.
—AFAR Media, 30 Dec. 2025
Unlike a typical entryway rack, storage benches also keep your shoes fully hidden.
—Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2025
The exhibition features his maps and sullied backpack, toothbrush, bar of soap, and survival goods, along with photos of him sleeping on park benches, crouching on the banks of the Hudson in front of ice floes, and haunting the city.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Both benches even cleared at one point.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026
Add function with slim drop zones using hooks, benches, or flip-down seating.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Yet, here in NYC, benches at bus shelters can seat no more than three.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
The doors open up to an antechamber set with chairs and benches.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Expect leather benches, custom drapery, rattan rocking chairs, and oversize armoires that discreetly conceal the tile-and-marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and bamboo shades.
—AFAR Media, 30 Dec. 2025
Unlike a typical entryway rack, storage benches also keep your shoes fully hidden.
—Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2025
The exhibition features his maps and sullied backpack, toothbrush, bar of soap, and survival goods, along with photos of him sleeping on park benches, crouching on the banks of the Hudson in front of ice floes, and haunting the city.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Both benches even cleared at one point.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
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
-
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
-
That panel included two former judges who had overseen international criminal tribunals, a former legal adviser to the British Foreign Office, and Amal Clooney, a British Lebanese human-rights lawyer and the wife of George Clooney.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Davis' arguments have already been rejected by lower courts.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Owners also have access to Ascaya’s lengthy roster of amenities, which includes a 23,000-square-foot clubhouse, a resort-style pool, fitness and yoga studios, tennis and pickleball courts, a family park, and scenic hiking trails.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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