benefit 1 of 2

noun

ˈbe-nə-ˌfit How to pronounce benefit (audio)
Definition of benefitnext
1
as in advantage
a thing that helps it would be a real benefit if you could keep track of what you have already bought

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in boon
something that provides happiness or does good for a person or thing the meal service is a great benefit to invalids and the elderly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

benefit

2 of 2

verb

as in to help
to provide with something useful or desirable his summer internship benefited him in two ways: by giving him some tuition funds and by offering vital work experience

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 benefit
Noun
Soak for 30 minutes to absorb the bath’s therapeutic benefits which include releasing tension, cleansing your skin, and relaxing your body. — Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 This financing reflects our focus on supporting experienced operators developing essential infrastructure with strong underlying economics and measurable environmental benefits. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Bryant, heading into his second season, had a strong spring and could benefit from the space Waddle can create in the passing game. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Companies that had a lot of oil stored in floating tankers and available for spot-market trading, including some European ones, were able to benefit from March’s higher oil prices, Seng said. — Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for benefit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benefit
  1. advantage
  2. boon
  3. help
  4. asset
  5. blessing
  6. avail
  7. gift
  8. aid
Noun
  • Those firms that subordinated customer value to residual claims frequently paid a price; those who reversed the order compounded advantage.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Trust, financing, developer communities, standards, commercial partnerships, and diplomatic credibility have become competitive advantages in their own right.
    — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • Going into the negotiation with Romo on CBS’ side instead of on Disney’s roster was considered a boon to the Tiffany Network.
    — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Crumb said that a road system where all users feel comfortable would ultimately be a financial boon for the city.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of boon
Verb
  • But even when screens help families make it through a busy day, Amin said many parents still feel guilty about relying on them.
    — Tara Duncan, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • From there, the episode’s mommy-issues plot thickens as the real Alicent does show up at Harrenhal and Alys tries (and fails) to convince Aemond his mother is not there to help him.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Iran was also frustrated that financial promises under the deal – including the release of billions of frozen assets – didn't materialize, and now the American blockade is back in place.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Fiserv is trying to stabilize two major operating divisions, modernize its technology, protect Clover, repair its banking franchise, and decide which assets still belong inside the company.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of asset
Noun
  • And when Simon sought his counsel before traveling to South Africa, Belafonte famously urged him to first seek the movement’s blessing — advice Simon did not take.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
  • Now, the company sets its eyes on Hong Kong, this time with China’s blessing.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
Definition of blessing
Verb
  • There’s also the question of how many of those Americans would actually avail themselves of such benefits.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026
  • Born on a farm in Maine, and instructed in local flora by an aunt, Butler availed herself of science classes at the University of Minnesota and went on to become a renowned phycologist.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026
Definition of avail
Noun
  • The Herald reported Whitaker’s statement on July 17 in a story that first disclosed the GMCVB’s ticket gift to Rodriguez through the commissioner’s political action committee, A Bolder Florida.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • Reid’s constancy is one of the gifts that has led him to the pinnacle of the NFL as the fourth-winningest coach in league history.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of gift
Verb
  • One organization that has aided in her journey is the Orange Duffel Bag Initiative, a Georgia nonprofit that supports students in need.
    — Nila Roper, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
  • Investigators are looking for information that could aid in an investigation into her death.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Definition of aid

Phrases Containing benefit

Browse Nearby Words

beneficiary
benefit
benefited
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Benefit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benefit. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on benefit

Nglish: Translation of benefit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benefit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All