benevolent
characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.
desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several benevolent alumni.
intended for benefits rather than profit: a benevolent institution.
Origin of benevolent
1Other words for benevolent
Opposites for benevolent
Other words from benevolent
- be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- be·nev·o·lent·ness, noun
- non·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- non·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- qua·si-be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- qua·si-be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- su·per·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- su·per·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- un·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- un·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with benevolent
- beneficent, beneficial, benevolent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use benevolent in a sentence
Elizabeth, whose life receives the majority of attention, believed that she could become a benevolent practitioner who would spare female patients from exposing themselves to male physicians.
Determined to practice medicine, two sisters defied conventions | Janet Golden | February 5, 2021 | Washington PostWherever possible, leaders must employ the benevolent conformity Americans seem to gravitate toward and respect.
How we can encourage people to wear masks — for others’ sake | Shai Davidai | December 24, 2020 | VoxAlternatively, they can choose to be remembered as benevolent innovators.
Bankers were the villains of the last recession. They can be heroes in this one | matthewheimer | December 11, 2020 | FortuneNo, the only chance we have is for news outlets to recognize their awesome reality-creating power and wield it benevolently.
What is the News? Whatever Alain de Botton Thinks It Is | Robert Herritt | February 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Professor, passing benevolently on, was glad he had now enough money to carry out his projects.
Uncanny Tales | Various
Charity is usually represented with a babe in her arms—going to place it benevolently upon a rich man's doorstep.
The Fiend's Delight | Dod GrileWhatever bit of a wise man's work is honestly and benevolently done, that bit is his book or his piece of art.
The stout clergyman in the immaculate white collar beamed benevolently at the questioner and shook his head with a gentle smile.
The Daffodil Mystery | Edgar WallaceHoyle, as a pup, was treated benevolently by all the others, and entered the fellowship of the other three when he grew up.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
British Dictionary definitions for benevolent
/ (bɪˈnɛvələnt) /
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
Origin of benevolent
1Derived forms of benevolent
- benevolently, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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