benevolent

American  

[buh-nev-uh-luhnt] / bəˈnɛv ə lənt /

adjective

1. characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings.

   a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.

2. desiring to help others; charitable.

   gifts from several benevolent alumni.

   Synonyms:

   altruistic, philanthropic, benign, liberal, generous, humane, kind, good

3. intended for benefits rather than profit.

   a benevolent institution.

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benevolent British  

/ bɪˈnɛvələnt /

adjective

1. intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly

   a benevolent smile

   a benevolent old man

2. doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable

   a benevolent organization

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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

Explanation

Choose the adjective benevolent for someone who does good deeds or shows goodwill. If your teacher collects homework with a benevolent smile, she's hoping that you've done a good job. Benevolent comes from the Latin bene, "well," and volent, from a verb meaning "to wish." A benevolent society is a charity group organized to serve a community through programs, sponsorships, and donations. The expression "benevolent dictatorship" may seem like an oxymoron, but it is a political term for an authoritative government that (supposedly) works for the good of the people under its rule.

Example Sentences

"It is the only alliance that, until now, had a major player behaving like a benevolent hegemon, one that did not impose its actions on others by force," he told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

And the federal government’s entry into migration sounds benevolent, but only one state had benevolent migration laws, and that was New York.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

“My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody,” Kurt’s brother, Peter Van Dyke, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

And Mr. McKellen is mildly avuncular, radiating a stealthy, benevolent attitude.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Finally, my benevolent master, to use his own words, “set her adrift to take care of herself.”

From "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" by Frederick Douglass

Related Words

• benign
• caring
• compassionate
• generous
• humane
• philanthropic