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
Hundreds of people sat on benches nearby, with another 100 or so on lawn chairs.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Chapultepec Castle, once a sovereign residence, is worth a visit, as is Audiorama, an area filled with benches and speakers that pump out different types of music.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Some of the rich men used fancy butt cushions to protect themselves from the hard wooden courtroom benches, Wired reported.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Look for items like stools, side tables, and benches at the thrift store.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
Pin trading binders can no longer be displayed on tables, benches or chairs near the Westward Ho Trading Company or anywhere else at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney or the three Disneyland resort hotels, according to the Disneyland website.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Guests at the memorial service — including Stephen Jones, Caroline Rush, Erdem Moralıoğlu, Nicole Farhi, Sam McKnight and Jonathan Newhouse — crammed onto benches in the venue, while others, including Daphne Guinness and Yasmin Sewell, stood in the aisles.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Two small garden benches on either side of the door make the perfect spot for sitting.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Chapultepec Castle, once a sovereign residence, is worth a visit, as is Audiorama, an area filled with benches and speakers that pump out different types of music.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Some of the rich men used fancy butt cushions to protect themselves from the hard wooden courtroom benches, Wired reported.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 15 May 2026
Look for items like stools, side tables, and benches at the thrift store.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
Pin trading binders can no longer be displayed on tables, benches or chairs near the Westward Ho Trading Company or anywhere else at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney or the three Disneyland resort hotels, according to the Disneyland website.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Guests at the memorial service — including Stephen Jones, Caroline Rush, Erdem Moralıoğlu, Nicole Farhi, Sam McKnight and Jonathan Newhouse — crammed onto benches in the venue, while others, including Daphne Guinness and Yasmin Sewell, stood in the aisles.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 13 May 2026
Two small garden benches on either side of the door make the perfect spot for sitting.
—Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benches
Noun
-
From legislation to the confirmation of federal judges who decide constitutional questions, those policy outcomes start with election results.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
For decades, regulators and judges have also successfully forced pharmaceutical manufacturers to attend to the addictiveness of opioids and other pain relief medicines.—
Olivier Sylvain,
Fortune,
16 May 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
-
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
-
Trump faces the lowest approval ratings yet in his second term, and much of his global tariff regime has been struck down in courts.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
-
Other amenities include flushing toilets and hot showers, an RV dumping station, a playground, and basketball and volleyball courts.—
Anna Laird Barto,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
