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
  • Following her death, Eloise’s family established the Living for Lulu Foundation to continue her legacy by encouraging kindness and helping animals in need.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • My mother, Cynthia, taught me to go through life with both relentless ambition and kindness.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • After the Victoria’s Secret fashion show came under fire in 2018, reports emerged of a close friendship between the company’s owner, Les Wexner, and Jeffrey Epstein.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Governments on both sides of the Channel have hailed its loan as a symbol of a Franco-British friendship.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • Prison is a place of survival and yes, the book is very keen on studying the ability to retain one’s tenderness in conditions that are intentional about callusing them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Few contemporary filmmakers so richly explore the concept of tenderness quite like Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • The ground level is dedicated to the living room, while the first floor houses bedroom collections, in addition to personalized design and consulting services, a materials library and a VIP room.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Western intelligence services estimate Russia is losing some 40,000 troops a month – a rate of roughly 340 casualties for every square kilometer.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • But through quick thinking, organizing and the generosity of thousands New Yorkers, Pintabona and the other restaurant members put together a massive operation that fed Ground Zero workers around the clock for two months after the attacks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But behind the glitz was profound talent, as well as a grit and generosity that made her one of country music’s biggest stars and a beloved international icon.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 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
  • As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary, and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The fungibility of the hands is a reprieve from the book’s scenes of violence and its fallout, from the endless assigning of blame and the apportioning out of mercy or destruction.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • But there's more to these cities than tax-friendliness, WalletHub said.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 13 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on benevolence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benevolence

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