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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benevolent
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
The photograph boosted the abolitionist cause and challenged the widespread notion that slavery had been a benevolent and gentle institution.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
People could be drawn to your benevolent energy.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
While the governor’s benevolent instincts are laudable, leniency here would only invite more lawbreaking, and ultimately, more suffering — in Colorado and beyond.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
The photograph boosted the abolitionist cause and challenged the widespread notion that slavery had been a benevolent and gentle institution.
—Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
People could be drawn to your benevolent energy.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
While the governor’s benevolent instincts are laudable, leniency here would only invite more lawbreaking, and ultimately, more suffering — in Colorado and beyond.
—Max Potter, Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolent
Adjective
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Mahan has described such policies as more compassionate than leaving people to suffer on the streets indefinitely, but advocates have accused him of criminalizing homelessness.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Aim to be mindful, compassionate, and respectful, Goldman says, and open the conversation in a kind, non-assuming way.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Schemmel, a devout Christian, has done charitable work for decades, ever since that awful day in July 1989 when 112 people died in a fiery crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
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Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Wei joins Bridgerton season 4 as Posy Li, Araminta's youngest daughter who's much kinder than her mother and older sister.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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Given that Testing couldn’t even crack 80,000 in an era that was relatively kinder to hip-hop on the Billboard 200 — as well as the eight years of false starts and the lack of true pre-release hit — Don’t Be Dumb pulled off something just short of a miracle.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The ship’s medical team will also provide support to isolated communities during its travels, and residents participate in philanthropic initiatives centered on conservation, education, and community development.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Like several women maligned in the ’90s, Harding was reevaluated in later years, and the sympathetic 2017 biopic I, Tonya helped to rehabilitate her image.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the last few years, Betancur made three humanitarian trips to Bucha, Ukraine and raised funds for several initiatives with the support of the Charlotte community, including Myers Park United Methodist Church.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
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So, why is this country in the midst of one of the greatest humanitarian crises in modern history?—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The club is new and the dressing room feels more humane than most, like a hotel banquet room.—
Celina Pereira,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Augmentation pulls teachers, case managers, and maintenance workers away from their core duties, eroding programs intended to reduce recidivism and maintain humane conditions.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Parents can now set daily time limits or block Shorts entirely, depending on what works best for their household.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Fan and critical consensus touted Kendrick Lamar’s triumphant-if-too-breezy GNX as one of 2024’s best and most successful rap albums.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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