1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

benediction

noun

ˌbe-nə-ˈdik-shən How to pronounce benediction (audio)
Definition of benedictionnext
1
as in blessing
a prayer calling for divine care, protection, or favor the priest offered a benediction for the missing children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 benediction There also will be a student reading of King’s work; live performances, including gospel music by Sherri Orr; the presentation of the 2026 Beloved Community Awards; and a benediction by Chaplain Kelly Figueroa-Ray. — Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2026 Ice Cube and Pitbull did a few numbers, and Smith was there to deliver a benediction. — Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026 The ancient monastery clings to the rock face, suspended between earth and sky like a benediction. — Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025 In her farewell, Sarah gave him a fitting benediction. — Jasmine Baehr , Jennifer Griffin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for benediction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benediction
  1. blessing
  2. benefit
  3. prayer
  4. boon
  5. gift
Noun
  • With the government’s blessing, Boeing and Lockheed entered into a 50-50 joint venture, merging their Delta and Atlas rocket programs under one roof.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • For us winemakers, even the rain is a blessing, not bad weather.
    — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of blessing
Noun
  • Although law firms are beginning to embrace the benefits of generative AI, the technology apparently makes many law schools squeamish.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Through 2070, South Florida could see $2 of benefits for every $1 invested in community adaptations, like seawall construction and beach nourishment.
    — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of benefit
Noun
  • Before Buchanan turned his final prayer into a touchdown, Underwood was quite underwhelming (11 of 21, 123 yards, INT, lost fumble).
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Every September 11th, people assemble near Ground Zero for the tolling of a bell, the whispering of prayers, the offering of flowers, the waving of flags.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of prayer
Noun
  • Being able to scout for minerals ahead of landing and setting up a base would be a huge boon for the United States' lunar ambitions.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • While each still has to check boxes in their recovery, getting any one of them — or perhaps all three — for the postseason would be a boon for the pitching staff.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of boon
Noun
  • Palestinians possess no natural gift for grief and there is nothing beautiful about enduring destruction and death.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The children were learning how to make gift bags and perfume, a free workshop that offered them a brief respite from Cuba's realities.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of gift

Browse Nearby Words

benedict
benediction
benedictions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Benediction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benediction. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on benediction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benediction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of watershed

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All