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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benevolent
Settle into yourself, shine your benevolent light, hold yourself with tenderness.
—
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for benevolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolent
Adjective
-
Investing in specialized, age-appropriate behavioral health programming is both compassionate and practical.—
Crystal Hudson,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
With each conversation, Christina stayed compassionate, caring, and curious about his HS—the three C's Chaz wanted in a partner.—
Health Editorial Team,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Generosity Commission is a nonpartisan group of leaders from across the charitable sector.—
George E. Mitchell,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At a balloon release in November 2024 honoring his memory, family members described Williams, who ran his own carpet-cleaning business, as a hardworking, kind, gentle man devoted to his family and faith.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Raised by a relatively kind commander (Nate Corddry) and a flatly evil step-mother (Amy Seimetz), Agnes grew up as privileged as a prisoner can be.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sampson raised well over $1 billion in philanthropic resources alongside her team — leading and closing the inaugural $100 million Unite Forever endowment campaign three years ahead of schedule.—
Brian Womack,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
His sympathetic patter also gives Guirgis an opportunity to start weaving in the character’s politics.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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To the chat-group members, her signature came as a particular disappointment, because she was seen as more sympathetic to their concerns.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One of the two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid that had previously gone missing arrives at the port of Havana on March 28, 2026.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
These encounters had convinced Beyer that many congregants were wrestling with how to square their sympathy for Jewish Israelis with the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Architecture like this, which reveals its structure while producing its effects, can make a museum feel slightly more humane.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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His coverage is funded by The Just Trust, a nonprofit that advocates for a humane justice system and reforms to problems in the system.—
Patrick Wilson,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gluting is ranked as the second best left-hander in Illinois in the 2027 class by Prep Baseball Report behind Benet’s Quinn Rooney, who’s a Notre Dame recruit.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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But UConn, usually at its best after making halftime adjustments, immediately fell behind again in the third.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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