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
Relevance
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
Hey, if Indiana can win a national championship, in part, thanks to NBA billionaire Mark Cuban playing benevolent NIL fairy godfather, then surely the DeVos family — owners of the Orlando Magic — could consider sprinkling a little of that pixie dust on UCF’s NIL program.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
In reality, Dixon suggests that this scenario would only happen if there’s not enough work to go around, rather than bosses suddenly becoming benevolent.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
With a bottomless well of ideas, relentless encouragement, and a grin that only seems to widen by the season, the Wichita, Kansas, native runs TV’s most prolific reality competition series as the most benevolent of dictators.
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
People could be drawn to your benevolent energy.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
In reality, Dixon suggests that this scenario would only happen if there’s not enough work to go around, rather than bosses suddenly becoming benevolent.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
With a bottomless well of ideas, relentless encouragement, and a grin that only seems to widen by the season, the Wichita, Kansas, native runs TV’s most prolific reality competition series as the most benevolent of dictators.
—David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
People could be drawn to your benevolent energy.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolent
Adjective
-
Elizabeth was principled and compassionate while Jessica was carefree, outgoing and manipulative, and their clashes and crushes became a welcome distraction.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Protect your rest now, and let silence restore a clear, compassionate perspective.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Whatever the politicians say, many want to be kinder to the planet as well.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Those who knew Kok described him to the Daily News in 2019 as a kind and humble gentleman who traveled long distances for jobs in the service industry.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This program would create a voluntary, philanthropic pathway to fund park infrastructure and maintenance without charging people to park.—
Shane Harris,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Archewell Foundation formally launched in late 2020, establishing the philanthropic pillar of their new life outside the royal fold.—
Erin Hill,
PEOPLE,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Courtenay, as a caregiver with deeply sympathetic layers, exhibits frustration and compassion in equal measure, blending the obstinate protestations of a man in his twilight years with the lifelong tenderness and wisdom that often accompany them.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In her first campaign for City Council in 2020, Raman ran on a promise to address the city’s homelessness crisis in a humanitarian way, by moving unhoused residents into temporary and permanent housing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The emails revealed no criminal behavior on Wasserman’s part but did reveal suggestive communications between him and Maxwell following a humanitarian trip Wasserman and his wife took with Epstein to Africa over 20 years ago.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the county’s unofficial network of cat feeders say their efforts are key to providing a humane existence for the thousands of strays trying to survive without homes.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Congress should take a practical, comprehensive approach that strengthens border security while creating an immigration system that is orderly, humane, and reflective of our values.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the city’s best restaurants and bars are both uptown and walkable, including breakfast juggernaut Cheeky’s and its adjacent pizza-pasta-patio hotspot Birba, farm-to-table fave Workshop, and cool cocktail den Tailor Shop.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Whichever silhouette you’re drawn to, their popularity lies in their chameleonic quality to look good with both neutrals, from white to black to shades of gray, and trending seasonal shades, like red and cobalt blue.—
Lucrezia Malavolta,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
