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
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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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The common bonds that held the fabric of society together have been torn to shreds and sewn together into robes that adorn the would-be benevolent dictators of culture who explain everything, apologize for nothing and lend their credibility to anyone willing to pay their fee.—
Bruce Stockler,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
McTeigue created subtle variations on the mask so that V could look slightly more sinister or benevolent depending on the lighting.—
Matthew Huff,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Generosity Commission is a nonpartisan group of leaders from across the charitable sector.—
George E. Mitchell,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The deal was beneficial for both sides.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
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When kept in containers, fennel won’t impact the growth of other plants, and its flowers will attract pollinators and other beneficial insects to your garden.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Review subscriptions and tidy receipts, then update prices or boundaries, because clear values help your compassionate nature avoid overgiving.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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But the sentiment at Augusta this week is generally compassionate.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sampson raised well over $1 billion in philanthropic resources alongside her team — leading and closing the inaugural $100 million Unite Forever endowment campaign three years ahead of schedule.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Recent poll results shared at a Tuesday night hearing showed 55% of those in a random sample were favorable to a mill levy override.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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The hope is a new administration more favorable to offshore wind will be in place by the time turbines are ready to touch federal waters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Season 3 is not totally devoid of supporters and kind superlatives, particularly for the cinematography and Zendaya’s reliably impressive chops.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Some of the kinder ones would give a Christmas tip if the apprentices did a good job cleaning their boots but others, basking in the new money of the Premier League, preferred to peacock.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Destroying civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime under international humanitarian law.—
Garrett Downs,Azhar Sukri,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
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On top of that, supply stocks are dwindling, and humanitarian access is extremely difficult.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beneficent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beneficent. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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