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 wasn’t the only time the bar was the beneficiary of benevolence. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 14 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
  • Life would not be the same without you, your vision, your kindness, your compassion, your love, your sexiness, your intelligence, your warmth, your friendship, your wisdom.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • Post Malone and comedian Michelle Buteau appear as members of the community who help demonstrate how even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference during recovery.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 30 July 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • Over time, visits evolved into lasting friendships with chefs, sommeliers and restaurateurs who would later play an unexpected role in his wine journey.
    — Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Detectives received an early tip that Velasquez’s husband may have been jealous of the women’s close friendship, but the couple did not respond to requests to speak with investigators at the time, and the motive remains unclear, police said.
    — Star-Telegram staff. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • For all the movie’s self-awareness, it’s filled with tenderness and humor.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
  • There’s also hints of vulnerability and genuine tenderness in her stern headmistress of the bedroom, which Wilde slips in just slyly enough to let the presence of a heart peek through all the brainy brashness and hormone overload.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • Energy is a key input into many goods and services given its broad use across the economy and so higher prices may fuel inflation.
    — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Meta has always had to invest in the data centers that serve its popular social networking services to people all over the world.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • Guelaguetza — also known as Los Lunes del Cerro, or Mondays on the Hill — is a centuries-old celebration rooted in community, generosity and cooperation, where the people of Oaxaca come together through music, dance, food and craftsmanship.
    — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
  • The Gracious Visionary interweaves documentary and reenacted components to tell the story of how his mindset was shaped by learning philosophy, playing cards and the generosity of others.
    — Nick Vivarelli for Variety, Robb Report, 20 July 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
  • Elon Musk bailing it out and folding it into his empire was a mercy killing for long-time shareholders.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 23 July 2026
  • Prosecutors argued Horner showed Athena no mercy and asked jurors to impose the death penalty.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 21 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 2 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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