benevolent
Americanadjective
-
characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings.
a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.
-
desiring to help others; charitable.
gifts from several benevolent alumni.
- Synonyms:
- altruistic , philanthropic , benign , liberal , generous , humane , kind , good
-
intended for benefits rather than profit.
a benevolent institution.
adjective
-
intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly
a benevolent smile
a benevolent old man
-
doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable
a benevolent organization
Other Word Forms
- benevolently adverb
- benevolentness noun
- nonbenevolent adjective
- nonbenevolently adverb
- pseudobenevolent adjective
- pseudobenevolently adverb
- quasi-benevolent adjective
- quasi-benevolently adverb
- superbenevolent adjective
- superbenevolently adverb
- unbenevolent adjective
- unbenevolently adverb
Etymology
Origin of benevolent
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin benevolent-, stem of benevolēns “kindhearted, well-wishing,” from bene- bene- + volēns “willing, wishing” (present participle of velle “to want, wish”); voluntary
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The family assumes these blessings are the work of a benevolent forest spirit.
From Salon
Relying on a simplistic narrative of patriotism, religious faith, benevolent oligarchic rule and the restoration of lost national glory, Franco largely succeeded in fighting off the enormous social and cultural changes of the postwar decades.
From Salon
He said the general "could even be somewhat tender and benevolent".
From Barron's
Despite all the costs entailed in the transition, industrial technology and the market system accomplished what no benevolent king’s redistribution, no loving bishop’s charity, no mercantilist’s protectionism and no powerful guild ever did.
As author Stephanie Land points out, weaponized government assistance is the opposite of benevolent.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
