benevolence

noun

bə-ˈnev-lən(t)s How to pronounce benevolence (audio)
Definition of benevolencenext
1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance self-effacing as well as selfless, he refused all public acknowledgement of his many benevolences to the community

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in friendship
kindly concern, interest, or support her benevolence towards her employees was such that she actually let one live in her home temporarily

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others an actress who was admired for her benevolence as for her beauty

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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 benevolence Making maritime travel safer for people of all backgrounds and nationalities was another way to uphold this value of universal benevolence. — Amanda Moniz, The Conversation, 12 May 2026 Starlight), a member of the Seven who questions their benevolence. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026 But Illinois couldn’t take advantage of the Huskies’ benevolence. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 Born into a family with a heritage of church-going, and benevolence, Amy discovered the possibility of a vibrant relationship with Jesus through the hippie days of the Belmont Church in the 1970s…and sang about it. — Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for benevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolence
  1. kindness
  2. friendship
  3. tenderness
  4. service
  5. generosity
  6. beneficence
  7. mercy
  8. friendliness
Noun
  • Friends and colleagues contrasted her pugnacious political statements with her personal kindness and good humor.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Acts of kindness are few and far between in the punishing Myanmar textile factory where young San Kyi (Nandar Myat Aung) makes a meager living, hunched over a sewing machine.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • Just a few days later, Navratilova spoke by phone about the film, the friendship and their cancer battles.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Bridget Foley, former executive editor of WWD, worked closely with Queen, and developed a deep friendship.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • Yes, the menu includes Attilio Marini’s famous steak cooked in a cast iron skillet for crispiness on the outside and tenderness inside.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • Wood’s solo, punctuated by Jagger’s falsetto, delivers just the right amount of tenderness and soul.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • The Lodging Association letter, which was written by executive director Fred Tayco, says charging hotels a flat fee could violate Proposition 26’s requirements that fees not exceed the reasonable cost of providing a service.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • Lainez said the city would have had to make cuts to senior programs, public safety services and capital improvement projects.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • Research published by the Natural Hazards Center found that donors may be motivated by generosity, a desire to feel directly connected to survivors or an opportunity to clear unwanted items from their homes.
    — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • To be opening the show on Dolly’s 81st birthday is not only a celebration of a milestone, but of a life shaped by generosity, courage, and purpose that, in this moment, feels not only uplifting and inspiring, but essential.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 July 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • In a European women’s football ecosystem that still relies predominantly on the beneficence of men’s football, Kang’s bullishness to put her money where her mouth is naturally entices.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • The four bioethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice, developed by Beauchamp and Childress, provide a framework for this.
    — Caroline Petit, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of beneficence
Noun
  • Lacey hates this idea, but the group decides to go with showing mercy this time around.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • Yet the greater influence, Campo believes, on America’s self-governing sense of law, justice and mercy is found at the Museum of the Bible, where the famous portrait of General Washington in prayer headlines the museum’s exhibit.
    — Lauren Green, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • What that collaboration has come up with is a new knife that pushes Opinel's classic profile to new heights in terms of user friendliness and features.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
  • The friendliness, the blue-sky, anything-is-possible thinking, and their love of this land.
    — Priyanka Mattoo, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of friendliness

Browse Nearby Words

benefits
benevolence
benevolences
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Cite this Entry

“Benevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolence. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on benevolence

Nglish: Translation of benevolence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benevolence

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