1
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a beneficent couple who are regular volunteers at a homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in charitable
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others
a beneficent effort to help out the needy during the holidays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beneficial
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being
cultural activities have a beneficent effect on a community that can't be measured in dollars and cents
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 beneficent
With the monetary system in a free-fall, some Iranians would rather have a beneficent king than all these pretenders oh-so-interested in the people.
—
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
But in Las Vegas, where spectacle-over-substance is kind of the whole point, the Wizard was a beneficent showman.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
Far away from the old, broken planet, a libertarian utopia will flourish, under the beneficent sway of the Elon.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Both center-left and center-right in the West coalesce around calls for more porous borders, freer trade, and open minds, calling them either inevitable or beneficent, or more often both at once.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for beneficent
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
But in Las Vegas, where spectacle-over-substance is kind of the whole point, the Wizard was a beneficent showman.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025
Far away from the old, broken planet, a libertarian utopia will flourish, under the beneficent sway of the Elon.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025
Both center-left and center-right in the West coalesce around calls for more porous borders, freer trade, and open minds, calling them either inevitable or beneficent, or more often both at once.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for beneficent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beneficent
Adjective
-
For Egyptians, crops would not grow without Horus and his benevolent eye shining down between the clouds.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
The overflow doctor had benevolent eyes and doughy cheeks, like fresh loaves of bread.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Swift has previously made several charitable donations, including $100,000 in February 2024, to the family of a woman killed at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade, and $1 million in December 2023 toward natural disaster relief after storms in Tennessee.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
That ordeal pushed Chirac toward the charitable work that reshaped her public image.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Wearables can absolutely be beneficial for the right patients, and even life-saving.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
According to Merrick, kratom has always been a big draw for Elixart’s customer base, offering them the opportunity to enjoy a beneficial beverage in a social environment, without alcohol.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Back in 2014, the company secured FDA authorization for a compassionate-use protocol allowing the Hemopurifier to be used in up to 20 patients with Ebola across 10 clinical sites in the United States.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 June 2026
-
Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch of humor.—
R Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Carrying forward the philanthropic aspect of the partnership, $1 from every purchase in the Pride Collection will support EJAF’s mission to help end AIDS and combat LGBTQIA+ stigma around the world.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
-
About the Rancho Santa Fe FoundationThe Rancho Santa Fe Foundation partners with individuals, families, and organizations to turn philanthropic vision into meaningful impact.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Conservative state lawmakers who have received tens of thousands of dollars from Gleason and his family are also those who have consistently sponsored, or at least provided their favorable votes, to bills that would directly benefit his precious metals business.—
Kevin Fixler
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
-
In nearly half of those actions, the plaintiffs have won a preliminary injunction against the administration or a favorable ruling, said Lawrence Pacheco, a spokesman for Weiser’s office.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
She was known for kind words and good advice.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
-
Focus on business and personal relationships, and choose to be with people who are kind, helpful and have your back.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
At least 10 others were wounded, the humanitarian aid group said.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
The morning of June 6, Mellor was back at Boston Logan airport for another trip to Havana, at a time when the United States is trying to tighten economic strings to choke Cuba’s government into change, and the country faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beneficent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beneficent. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
