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
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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
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Recent Examples of beneficent
Plus, a lot of social policies that many Californians consider beneficent and broad-minded that, to put it mildly, others around the country consider much less so.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
The culmination of Roosevelt’s beneficent framing of the canal’s construction came during the spectacular world’s fair, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, held in 1915 to celebrate the canal’s opening.
—Julie Greene / Made By History, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
White male Christian authority could posture as gracious and beneficent as long as it was unquestioned.
—Rebecca Solnit
january 13, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2021
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
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
The culmination of Roosevelt’s beneficent framing of the canal’s construction came during the spectacular world’s fair, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, held in 1915 to celebrate the canal’s opening.
—Julie Greene / Made By History, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
White male Christian authority could posture as gracious and beneficent as long as it was unquestioned.
—Rebecca Solnit
january 13, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2021
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
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At a slow, quiet and benevolent pace that blurred the lines between reality and fiction.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
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The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
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In December of last year, Scott published an essay on her website discussing her 2025 charitable contributions.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Soluble fiber is effective for lowering cholesterol, supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, and keeping stools soft and easy to pass.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
-
While many insects are beneficial for your garden, others can wreak havoc on your plants.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump’s braggadocio State of the Union message about our surging economy and his compassionate ICE raids was the icing on the Circassian cake.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
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For nearly 90 years, their teams have provided compassionate and talented care.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In some cases, researchers may have an idea that is not aligned strategically with how the university is raising philanthropic funds.—
Brian Herman,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This program would create a voluntary, philanthropic pathway to fund park infrastructure and maintenance without charging people to park.—
Shane Harris,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While several found the texture of this one favorable, most felt like the strong vinegar flavor was a little too bitter to enjoy on sandwiches or dogs.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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The Roberts Court is also favorable to states’ rights and accompanying powers, including those at the expense of the federal government.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The game has cultivated a fanbase that is generally kind and patient, increasingly rare qualities in the gaming world, and online more broadly.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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Partnership thrives when messages stay kind, even as mental Mercury goes retrograde in your 7th House of Partnerships.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s no good reason to do so, especially those with serious humanitarian or medical issues.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
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Epstein also visited the White House several times during Clinton’s presidency, and the pair later made several international trips together for their humanitarian work.—
Stephen Groves,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beneficent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beneficent. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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