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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 benevolence
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
Juice it all with benevolence and protection.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
Nina Sikkersoq Kristoffersen, a Greenlandic activist in Copenhagen, feels that for too long Danes have expected Greenlanders to be grateful for their benevolence while minimizing the ways Denmark benefitted from the island’s natural resources.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
After April, then fame, then drilling down on your right path, then help, protection, benevolence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolence
Chris Willman, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
Juice it all with benevolence and protection.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
Nina Sikkersoq Kristoffersen, a Greenlandic activist in Copenhagen, feels that for too long Danes have expected Greenlanders to be grateful for their benevolence while minimizing the ways Denmark benefitted from the island’s natural resources.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
After April, then fame, then drilling down on your right path, then help, protection, benevolence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolence
Noun
-
This seemingly random act of kindness is not without strings, as DeMille alludes to working together more in the future.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
Watching together gives parents a chance to support kids in thinking critically about social dynamics and how to respond with kindness and courage.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Fleur and Caroline put innumerable noses out of joint on their paths to creative and intellectual fulfillment; lovers become dejected, friendships are left to go cold, and each woman’s devotion to her work is viewed with resentment and suspicion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The show explores middle-age desperation, loneliness and, notably, masculinity and male friendship.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Follow these simple guidelines to season steak the right way, boosting both flavor and tenderness for restaurant-worthy results.—
Laura Manzano,
Martha Stewart,
5 June 2026
-
With spare, gripping sentences, Cagnati tells a sobering tale of suffering and tenderness.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
On homelessness, Steyer wants to expand interim housing options and homeless services.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Wire services contributed to this report.—
Jon Becker,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
So, investing in the well-being of women leaders isn't an act of generosity.—
Nakisha Dixon,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
This isn’t out of generosity or a desire to protect the game’s well-being.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
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
Noun
-
The economy has been devastated, and many feel trapped between a government with no mercy and a future with no clear path forward.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
But after seven episodes wearing down the viewer with a bleak perspective, in the season finale, Euphoria pulls itself out of its own somber patterns to reach for grace and mercy in Christian symbolism, American wholesomeness, and the concept of family.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Anything and everything is possible and can be achieved with a trademark, down-to-earth friendliness.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
What does Pennsylvania's score for LGBTQ friendliness mean?—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolence. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
