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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benediction
Wickersham listens to his friend describe his strengths, and hears it in a benediction.
—
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
In her farewell, Sarah gave him a fitting benediction.
—Jasmine Baehr , Jennifer Griffin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The dedication concluded with a Luiseño closing benediction from Diania Caudell, followed by a community barbecue—symbolizing fellowship and shared purpose.
—Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
What a stimulus and benediction even to meet with for a day!
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benediction
Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
In her farewell, Sarah gave him a fitting benediction.
—Jasmine Baehr , Jennifer Griffin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The dedication concluded with a Luiseño closing benediction from Diania Caudell, followed by a community barbecue—symbolizing fellowship and shared purpose.
—Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
What a stimulus and benediction even to meet with for a day!
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benediction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benediction
Noun
-
The Vatican’s 2023 declaration allowing an informal blessing, promulgated with virtually no consultation outside the Vatican, sharply divided the church, with African bishops delivering a continent-wide dissent and refusing to implement it.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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This might be one time when Netflix’s credit-crushing auto-play jump to other content is a blessing.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Though companion planting for garlic usually focuses on the benefits garlic offers to other plants, is also works in the other direction.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Apr. 2026
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The school calendar’s architects also had the benefit of a number of school holidays falling over weekends, including Rosh Hashanah, Diwali and Juneteenth.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Thank you for the prayers and support over the last year.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
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The advocacy group filed a similar suit against the Labor Department, where Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer hosts monthly prayer gatherings inspired by Hegseth.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Through the years, the NFL has been a boon for the rags-to-riches tale.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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The acquisition is a boon for the small startup, which has subsisted on $60 million over the last five years and previously struggled to stay afloat.—
Allison DeAngelis,
STAT,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Guests were given a complimentary tote bag full of gifts inspired by the movie—including a TreSemme workable hair spray, Devil Wears Prada branded Diet Coke, and a copy of the fictional Runway magazine, with Blunt’s Emily Charlton on the cover.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
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Our brother-in-law is, of course, invited to the brunch, along with our dad; he would just not be included in the gift of putting on the event.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benediction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benediction. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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