Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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.

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

"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

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

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.

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

It’s that type of benevolence that fuels Minnesota nice, and what shatters it.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

There was a degree of benevolence in that ring.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025

He winked one of the pouchy eyes, looking down his nose with benevolence.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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.