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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benevolent
At a slow, quiet and benevolent pace that blurred the lines between reality and fiction.
—
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump should ask himself whether stirring a hornet’s nest serves any purpose other than pointlessly alienating a benevolent neighbor that is beginning to pad its insurance policy by reaching out to non-hemispheric powers.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
We are mostly meant to feel the movie, to allow our souls to be prodded and hugged tightly by this benevolent picture’s generous assessment of the most dangerous animal to ever exist on the planet.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump should ask himself whether stirring a hornet’s nest serves any purpose other than pointlessly alienating a benevolent neighbor that is beginning to pad its insurance policy by reaching out to non-hemispheric powers.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolent
Adjective
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Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch of humor.—
R Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
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Lawmakers can do their part by prohibiting intentional vehicular killing of wildlife, which would go a long way toward creating a legacy of just and compassionate wildlife stewardship.—
Wendy Keefover,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That’s the view of Brad Conger, chief investment officer at Hirtle Callaghan, a firm that manages $25 billion on behalf of such clients as charitable institutions and college endowments.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 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.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ice cream, water fights, kind people who aren’t weird and don’t smell unusual.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
No large production crew of the kind traditional late-night programs require.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In some cases, researchers may have an idea that is not aligned strategically with how the university is raising philanthropic funds.—
Brian Herman,
Fortune,
20 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Oliver said that the agricultural department is sympathetic toward the affected peach growers and does not mean to invoke the state abandoned orchard law as a threat.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the court appeared sympathetic to the A’s central claims, striking the petition only because a separate, ongoing legal process in Los Angeles has forced the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to keep its existing policies on the books for the time being.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Australia granted humanitarian visas to more than 20 members of Afghanistan women’s cricket team when the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and banned women’s sport.—
Swati Pandey,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
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But humanitarian groups insist there is nowhere safe for people to go, many who have yet to recover after Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The mom of five said the humane society told her -- and shared in a Facebook post -- that June had been spotted by someone at a local monument company in Needham, about 15 minutes and less than 10 miles from her home, and had brought him into the shelter.—
Yi-Jin Yu,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Check your local humane shelter or reputable breeders in your area.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tallen said his firm has a history of turning around distressed properties in good locations.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
His communication on the defensive end of the floor has been really good, too.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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