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
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Recent Examples of benches
He was positioned between the two benches as part of ESPN’s broadcast team while the Vegas Golden Knights stunningly swept the Presidents’ Trophy out of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference Final.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Measuring how magnets handle stress Running these benches alongside existing plant networks provides early data on how the central control systems, power feeds, vacuums, and cooling setups interact.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
What that could look like in selecting a neighborhood and home is its access to quality local healthcare, to nature — especially walking or cycling trails and benches for relaxation — fitness amenities, healthy food selections, and gathering spaces for mental and social health.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Use Non-Organic Elements Bring in some chairs, benches, bird baths, and outdoor art to layer throughout your cottage garden, Janney recommends.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
Heher and Hartje exchanged words after the play, and players and coaches from both benches streamed onto the field before cooler heads prevailed.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2026
The design avoids trend-chasing and leans into classic refinement, with crown molding, velvet benches, and carved desks with built-in charging ports.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Over the next few weeks, the trail will be paved more, and down the line crews will eventually clean up the overgrown foliage to make room for benches.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
may 22, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
With all the skill, and the advanced tactical abilities on both benches, winning this series, earning a trip to the NBA Finals, could come down to execution and the resolve to do so.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Measuring how magnets handle stress Running these benches alongside existing plant networks provides early data on how the central control systems, power feeds, vacuums, and cooling setups interact.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
What that could look like in selecting a neighborhood and home is its access to quality local healthcare, to nature — especially walking or cycling trails and benches for relaxation — fitness amenities, healthy food selections, and gathering spaces for mental and social health.
—Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Use Non-Organic Elements Bring in some chairs, benches, bird baths, and outdoor art to layer throughout your cottage garden, Janney recommends.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 30 May 2026
Heher and Hartje exchanged words after the play, and players and coaches from both benches streamed onto the field before cooler heads prevailed.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 May 2026
The design avoids trend-chasing and leans into classic refinement, with crown molding, velvet benches, and carved desks with built-in charging ports.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026
Over the next few weeks, the trail will be paved more, and down the line crews will eventually clean up the overgrown foliage to make room for benches.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
may 22, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026
With all the skill, and the advanced tactical abilities on both benches, winning this series, earning a trip to the NBA Finals, could come down to execution and the resolve to do so.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benches
Noun
-
In 2026, from a field of thousands of entries spanning every major whisky-producing nation, the judges awarded exactly 726 medals across the whisky and whiskey categories.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
In practice, reformers say, bail amounts have largely been set by vibes, with judges given broad leeway to use discretion.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
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.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
In the motion submitted May 1, Cassie argued that Howard's lawsuit should be transferred out of California courts and into a New York court, where dozens of similar Diddy claims were already filed.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
Leave this warehouse-sized structure for the light of day, and nearby are firepits, horseshoes, Bocce, tennis and pickleball courts, and even a soccer field.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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