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

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

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2026

It’s a kind of moral laundering, where so-called benevolence masks self-interest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Long ago, when his mind had been a nimble boy’s called Wart—long ago he had been taught by an aged benevolence, wagging a white beard.

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

Related Words

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