1
as in blessing
a prayer calling for divine care, protection, or favor
the priest offered a benediction for the missing children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in benefit
something that provides happiness or does good for a person or thing
the library's silence was a welcome benediction to someone, like me, who needed to concentrate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benediction
After the address, there will be benedictions by Rabbi Ari Berman, Imam Husham al Husainy, Senior Pastor Lorenzo Sewell and Reverend Father Frank Mann.
—
Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025
In this state of rapt immediacy even the striking of the clocks sounds like a benediction; empty time has been enriched.
—Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The former President François Hollande, a Socialist who had long refused to associate with Mélenchon, emerged from political retirement to offer his benediction.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Ennis has just repeated to Jack a few lines from his long-dead mother, to whom shows of affection did not come particularly naturally but whose spirit arises, nevertheless, to deliver a benediction that the living woman would have meant as mere domestic ritual.
—Michael Cunningham, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benediction
Graham Kates, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025
In this state of rapt immediacy even the striking of the clocks sounds like a benediction; empty time has been enriched.
—Sam Sacks, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The former President François Hollande, a Socialist who had long refused to associate with Mélenchon, emerged from political retirement to offer his benediction.
—Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024
Ennis has just repeated to Jack a few lines from his long-dead mother, to whom shows of affection did not come particularly naturally but whose spirit arises, nevertheless, to deliver a benediction that the living woman would have meant as mere domestic ritual.
—Michael Cunningham, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benediction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benediction
Noun
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Vatican: Pope hopes to deliver blessing on Easter Pope Francis made a short and unannounced visit Saturday to St. Peter's Basilica to pray before this evening's Easter vigil and greet some of the faithful present.—
Phoebe Natanson,
ABC News,
19 Apr. 2025
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In theory someone else could read the speech while Francis could impart the blessing.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Walking Can Protect Your Heart—And Overall Health Being physically active—whether that’s from walking, working out, gardening, or even doing household chores—offers significant heart-healthy benefits.—
Julia Ries,
Health,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Root vegetables Not all root vegetables have the same nutritional benefits.—
Dr. Steven Gundry,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Many waited hours for a chance to walk under the church’s vaulted ceilings and say a prayer for the pontiff.—
Alan Yuhas,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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More than five years ago, Francis stood in the very same square in the evening, to issue a prayer amid the worsening COVID pandemic.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Particularly in Southern California, home to the nation’s two largest ports, goods exchange with China — subject to the steepest of Trump’s tariff hikes — is a boon to local industry.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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The endorsement was a boon to Mr. Cuomo, 67, and a blow to his rivals.—
Nicholas Fandos,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But Ed’s gift is like a metaphor for what’s happening in the world.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2025
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His fourth-round projection stems from the ability to channel his athletic gifts into production.—
Ben Standig,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benediction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benediction. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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