benevolence

American  

[buh-nev-uh-luhns] / bəˈnɛv ə ləns /

noun

1. desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness.

   to be filled with benevolence toward one's fellow creatures.

   Antonyms:

   malevolence

2. an act of kindness; a charitable gift.

   She bequeathed many benevolences from her vast fortune.

3. English History. a forced contribution to the sovereign.

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benevolence British  

/ bɪˈnɛvələns /

noun

1. inclination or tendency to help or do good to others; charity

2. an act of kindness

3. (in the Middle Ages) a forced loan or contribution exacted by English kings from their nobility and subjects

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Other Word Forms

• nonbenevolence noun
• superbenevolence noun
• unbenevolence noun

Etymology

Origin of benevolence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin benevolentia; benevolent, -ence

Explanation

Benevolence is an act of kindness or an inclination to be kind. It's the quality of someone who volunteers in a soup kitchen, tutors children for free, and helps old ladies cross the street. Helping your grandmother with her groceries is an act of benevolence — as long as she doesn’t pay you a dollar per bag. Letting your little sister have the last helping of ice cream shows benevolence. Benevolence is any kind act, but it can also describe the desire to do nice things. When you’re feeling selfish, you probably won’t show benevolence, but if benevolence comes through in spite of your crankiness, then you know you’re really a good person.

Example Sentences

Many of Silicon Valley’s most powerful people have whined a lot in recent years about traditional media not being properly understanding of their companies’ brilliance and benevolence.

From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026

Krusek says what makes the show compelling “is the spirit of the videos, just the sense of joyousness and benevolence that they communicate, and a real sense of reverence for the art and the artists.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

In fact, the creature possesses an instinctive benevolence, which is corrupted by rejection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

However, Prof Bellitto pointed out that Militiades was not responsible for this change, saying the Pope was the "recipient of the Roman benevolence" rather than being a great negotiator.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2025

There was a light breeze, which lifted a faint scent out of the flowers and rustled the stiff leaves, and Mary imagined a huge, dim benevolence holding her up, like a pair of giant hands.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• benefaction
• benignity
• compassion
• good nature
• good will
• goodwill
• kindheartedness
• kindliness
• kindness
• tenderness