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
-
Depictions of such raw humanity have the capacity to shape us into more compassionate community members, more thoughtful voters and more indignant seekers of justice.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
On the surface, this may sound compassionate.—
Eleanor Sobel,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 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,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Along with its dozens of cupcakes flavors, Jen's Sweet Treats also quickly became known for charitable efforts.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Thank you, too, to the dozens of people who wrote in with kind corrections.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Vargo also recalled a kind woman who had a gentle spirit.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 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
-
Was sympathetic blood magic involved in Amy Madigan casting a spell over the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild?—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Both sides believed that any sympathetic act toward the enemy would represent an insult to their own soldiers.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The State Department announced an additional $6 million in humanitarian assistance to Cuba on Thursday, adding to $3 million sent last month in the form of food parcels distributed with the assistance of the Catholic Church on the island nation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Attack follows Friday’s strike on World Food Program convoy, in a pattern of targeting civilians and humanitarian operations amid ongoing civil war.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bernstein, in fact, opened the Kennedy Center with Mass, which was not an actual Catholic service but a musical-theater performance about one, with a humane hippie-friendly priest known as the Celebrant at its heart.—
Christopher Robbins,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
-
While the company continues to refine its technology, its broader vision remains focused on building systems that are humane in intent, measured in execution, and sustainable in practice.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, makeup artists think spring breakers will pack their best cushion-y, cloud lips instead of their icy alternatives.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Kansas City figured its best sales pitch centered on its facilities and its location in the heart of America.—
Sam McDowell
Updated February 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolent. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
