benevolent

adjective

bə-ˈnev-lənt How to pronounce benevolent (audio)
Definition of benevolentnext
1
as in compassionate
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others a benevolent willingness to provide veterinary services to low-income families at greatly reduced prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in charitable
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others a benevolent businessman who has donated money and time to helping inner-city youths

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 benevolent Sadly, Pennywise is not a benevolent creature. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 The wild plants that were up for harvest were a lot less benevolent, too. — Jacqueline Goldblatt, PC Magazine, 13 June 2026 For Egyptians, crops would not grow without Horus and his benevolent eye shining down between the clouds. — Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026 That’s especially noteworthy with sloths, their adorable faces in a permanently benevolent expression. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolent
  1. compassionate
  2. charitable
  3. kind
  4. philanthropic
  5. sympathetic
  6. humanitarian
  7. humane
  8. good
Adjective
  • In your 12th House of Solitude, compassionate Venus trines vulnerable Chiron in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, aligning reflection with deeper trust.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026
  • Grossman’s soldiers might not be tidy paragons of bravery, but they’re portrayed with an unwavering, compassionate regard.
    — Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 8 July 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The American defense was charitable on most, if not all, of Belgium’s four goals last round.
    — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • For almost all of these races there is a charitable angle, a way to buy a spot outside the normal lottery, application or qualification process.
    — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • People who knew Salgado Araujo described him as dependable and kind, according to a GoFundMe for his family.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • The 54,000-square-foot medical spa runs like clockwork and is staffed with efficient, kind, and caring receptionists, medical assistants, and doctors of good humor.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • The expansion is possible because Hartford Hospital received a $250,000 grant through The Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund by The Cigna Group Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of The Cigna Group go to the Food4Health program.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026
  • Andre Dowell is founder and president of the National Philanthropic Foundation, advancing philanthropic legacy, next generation leadership, and civic understanding.
    — Andre Dowell, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • If nothing else, Patriot Front offers sympathetic groups intent on violence a valuable pool of potential recruits.
    — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • The Cuban resolution passed with the support of several African and Asian countries, Cuba’s traditional allies like China and Russia as well as other sympathetic governments in Europe (Spain), Latin America (Colombia, Mexico), and the Caribbean.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of sympathetic
Adjective
  • More than 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Yet the full environmental impact remains difficult to calculate because humanitarian organizations have not historically used a single, sector-wide accounting method.
    — Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of humanitarian
Adjective
  • Two New World screwworm cases in dogs are among more than 30 confirmed instances in Texas and New Mexico, prompting warnings Wednesday from veterinarians and humane societies that pet owners need to remain vigilant to protect their animals.
    — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • The humor—dry, humane, occasionally absurd—is ever-present … The Vermont setting, spare and bracing, acts as a quiet amplifier of these idiosyncrasies, while Mason remains attuned to the natural world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of humane
Adjective
  • The next best thing to intravenous intervention when dehydrated is Liquid IV.
    — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
  • Our best guess is that there might be a little bit of recognition for the youngest generations, too, watching all those clips — as in, Holy cow, Austin Powers was real!
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Definition of good

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Cite this Entry

“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of benevolent for Spanish Speakers

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