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

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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

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
  • For one Kansas City coffee shop, a video tarnishing the establishment ended up being a blessing in disguise.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Mainland China companies wanting to list in Hong Kong also need the CSRC’s blessing.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of blessing
Noun
  • About the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Moisturizer As with all Revitalift products, the formula blends a trio of active ingredients to bolster anti-aging benefits.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Drawing on research across multiple fields, Fischer makes the case that when people connect, cooperate, help, and give, the benefits come back to them.
    — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of benefit
Noun
  • Some cardinals would stop — more often for the prayer requests than the questions — but others would keep walking.
    — Scott Detrow, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The pilgrims were going to a prayer site in Nakuru County, west of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, said Martin Kivuva, archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of prayer
Noun
  • Instead of ignoring the noise and letting the backlash blow over, Espinal showed up to the set and posted a video explaining to New Yorkers why, in the long term, productions like this are a boon to the city and its inhabitants.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Lower agricultural revenue would leave the government with less money, and lower domestic food production would drive up consumer prices—both boons to the most extreme Peronist populists running against Milei in 2027.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of boon
Noun
  • Chivayo's Rolls-Royces, private aircraft, designer shoes, luxury watches, shopping trips abroad and multimillion-dollar gifts were a constant presence on social media, while his relationships with presidents gave him visibility far beyond Zimbabwe.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The gift came with the understanding that a new example would be produced by Serra on-site at the museum; this was done in 1995.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of gift

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Cite this Entry

“Benediction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benediction. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on benediction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benediction

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