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 These firms often present self-dealing as benevolence, playing to win in ways that erode trust and long-term resilience. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 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 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
  • If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • The film introduces four newcomers – Aarushi Bajaj, Ansh Duggal, Bianca Arora and Piyush Khati – who headline a story centered on friendship, young love, heartbreak and the process of figuring out life as a young adult.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But still, the friendship captured onscreen is true to life, and an interesting peek into one of Hollywood’s most enduring bromances.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • These pockets expand in the oven to give your cookies lift, tenderness, and structure.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Some of the skin is peeling a skosh more than they’d all like, though, a result of the potatoes’ tenderness.
    — Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • YouTube‘s Pedro Pina has doubled down on the case against giving prominence to British broadcasters on digital services.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • Flowers’ voice also carries some of Waylon’s wry, bear-hug generosity, that warmth that always makes his music feel like good company.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Dream Ride Experience has grown into an extraordinary celebration of community, generosity, and inclusion.
    — Mark Maglio, Hartford Courant, 25 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
  • Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And she has been asked to comment and speak on MANY things over the years … choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people, and shutting down any line of questioning that won’t.
    — Hunter Kelly, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • Diaper qualities and features Some general diaper selection factors to consider are cost, softness, absorbency, fit, fragrance, ingredients and environmental friendliness.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Casual and low-key, but sophisticated and very personable—all the friendliness without the snootiness.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 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 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on benevolence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benevolence

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