beneficent

American  

[buh-nef-uh-suhnt] / bəˈnɛf ə sənt /

adjective

1. doing good or causing good to be done; conferring benefits; kindly in action or purpose.

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beneficent British  

/ bɪˈnɛfɪsənt /

adjective

1. charitable; generous

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Other Word Forms

• beneficently adverb
• nonbeneficent adjective
• nonbeneficently adverb
• unbeneficent adjective
• unbeneficently adverb

Etymology

Origin of beneficent

First recorded in 1610–20; benefic(ence) + -ent

Example Sentences

Isn’t giving your money away going to have the greatest beneficent impact on the most people?

From The Wall Street Journal

Virgil’s journey toward a beneficent existence starts with a family member’s funeral, continues through another relative’s hospice stay and then achieves fulfillment with our hero’s compassion-driven decision to look after the dead.

From New York Times

She brought to the ghostly role her own expansive sense of history — once again revealing eternity through her beneficent, dazzling, invincible artistry.

From Los Angeles Times

On the one hand, there's the beneficent notion of bestowing the priceless "gift of life," the tender slogan of donor advocates imploring, "Don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here."

From Salon

A communal vision is the beneficent goal of “A Transparent Musical.”

From Los Angeles Times