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 That might appear to be pay-it-forward benevolence from Stankoven. — Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 May 2026 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 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
  • Jorge will be remembered for his quiet strength, kindness and unwavering devotion to his family.
    — Avi Creditor, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Jessica Meyer, clinical manager of the clinic, said she was already struck by Martewicz’s kindness.
    — Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • That’s good, because healthy friendships can make kids happier, improve their self-esteem and resilience, and protect against loneliness and depression.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • On one level this may seem like pie in the sky, yet the seeds of all of these possibilities already exist, and are firmly planted at the small-scale level of family, friendship and community at the local and hyper-local level.
    — William Hartung, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • But there is a real tenderness that’s thrown into the mix with the lewd banter and glass-half-empty outlook.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Side effects included injection-site reactions such as pain, tenderness and swollen lymph nodes; fatigue; headache; muscle or joint pain; nausea or vomiting; and fever.
    — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • Clay regularly advises organizations on using existential psychology and behavioral science to improve their products, services, and workplace culture.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Clayton County Water Authority officials said a service disruption that temporarily knocked out water to parts of the county was possibly a cyberattack.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • In my experience, companies that decline to run it voluntarily tend to end up running it under duress, with fewer options and less generosity available to their people.
    — Andrew Sorohan, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Sixteen first-time finishers received complimentary buckles through the generosity of Lynn Marks and Tom Noll, while five junior riders successfully completed the course.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • Recommitting to Belmont’s core — respect, beneficence and justice — keeps the clinical‑trials enterprise worthy of public confidence.
    — Stephanie Haridopolos, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of beneficence
Noun
  • Daemon, on Ceraxes, tracks down his daughter on Sheepstealer and pleads with her again to remain hidden or avail herself of Rhaenyra’s mercy.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • There was no mercy from referee Alex King, who handed Danso his marching orders.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • The city ranked 66th for pet budget, sixth for pet health and wellness, and 36th for outdoor pet-friendliness.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Primates napping next to another animal or playing with them offers no readily apparent rewards—suggesting that this innate curiosity and friendliness is more deeply ingrained in humanity’s evolutionary journey.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 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 9 Aug. 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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