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 effectively left it as a fourth quarter of nothing by mop-up time, with both benches emptied.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
There are plenty of benches, restrooms, and shade throughout the grounds, so visiting is comfortable year-round.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
The metal spikes and rails mysteriously installed earlier this year on downtown Austin planter-box benches have been removed.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
The plan includes constructing a new Northside Pocket Park, estimated to cost the district about $600,000, which will be comprised of a new playground, bike repair station, benches and a connection to the Skokie Valley Trail.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Vitello was in the stands at Busch Stadium on July 24, 1988, when Giants star Will Clark slid hard into Cardinals infielder José Oquendo and sparked a benches-clearing brawl.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
The Warriors trailed by 14 going into the fourth quarter, and with Detroit playing the second game of a back-to-back while Golden State was starting one, both coaches went to their benches early.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Yet during their decades on benches from Providence to Tulsa and far beyond, Pitino and Self had somehow coached against each other only once.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
Late in the Arizona-Long Island blowout, both teams emptied their benches -- and that gave Long Island's Eddie Munyak a shot at glory.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
There are plenty of benches, restrooms, and shade throughout the grounds, so visiting is comfortable year-round.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
The metal spikes and rails mysteriously installed earlier this year on downtown Austin planter-box benches have been removed.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026
The plan includes constructing a new Northside Pocket Park, estimated to cost the district about $600,000, which will be comprised of a new playground, bike repair station, benches and a connection to the Skokie Valley Trail.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Vitello was in the stands at Busch Stadium on July 24, 1988, when Giants star Will Clark slid hard into Cardinals infielder José Oquendo and sparked a benches-clearing brawl.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
The Warriors trailed by 14 going into the fourth quarter, and with Detroit playing the second game of a back-to-back while Golden State was starting one, both coaches went to their benches early.
—CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Yet during their decades on benches from Providence to Tulsa and far beyond, Pitino and Self had somehow coached against each other only once.
—ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
Late in the Arizona-Long Island blowout, both teams emptied their benches -- and that gave Long Island's Eddie Munyak a shot at glory.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benches
Noun
-
In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The foundation’s judges and awards subcommittee members – the latter a volunteer group of industry professionals, academics, writers and reviewers that changes every year – also search on their own.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But through a series of deft legal maneuvers—joined to the ever more ambitious self-concepts of some international legal tribunals—Mauritius was able to win a second legal victory at another international tribunal, for the law of the sea.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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The position will also represent the department in front of administrative tribunals such as the State Personnel Board and the California Department of Human Resources as well as assist the attorney general’s office on civil litigation matters.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jim Steyer, the chief executive of Common Sense Media, said the outcomes so far show that the courts, state legislatures and foreign governments are now aligning to reshape Silicon Valley.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
While some of the students were flying through the sky for dunks and layups, the impact of the courts goes beyond hoops, too.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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