benevolent
characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings: a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.
desiring to help others; charitable: gifts from several benevolent alumni.
intended for benefits rather than profit: a benevolent institution.
Origin of benevolent
1Other words for benevolent
Opposites for benevolent
Other words from benevolent
- be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- be·nev·o·lent·ness, noun
- non·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- non·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- qua·si-be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- qua·si-be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- su·per·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- su·per·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
- un·be·nev·o·lent, adjective
- un·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with benevolent
- beneficent, beneficial, benevolent
Words Nearby benevolent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use benevolent in a sentence
Later in life Darwin seems to have relinquished any notion that the theory of natural selection might redeem death and suffering, and thus vindicate a benevolent God.
This mindset began to erode over the course of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s—first, when massive waves of layoffs and benefit cuts destabilized the myth of the benevolent parent company.
Companies Are Embracing Empathy to Keep Employees Happy. It’s Not That Easy | Anne Helen Petersen | July 22, 2021 | TimeWhether this coalition of strangers—one whose intentions were undoubtedly benevolent—knew better than anyone in Spears’ inner circle what was best for her remained an open question.
At Last, Britney Spears Gets a Voice in Her Future—and We Have Her Fans to Thank | Judy Berman | June 24, 2021 | TimeIn his telling, that generation came to politics skeptical but hopeful, only to find themselves confronted with a disastrous war, vicious polarization at home and the end of any hope for benevolent American hegemony.
A three-pronged examination into what happens to America next | Beverly Gage | June 11, 2021 | Washington PostRodrigo has been at the center of that mostly benevolent storm this year.
They are often characterized as benevolent and admirable; when we do the same, we are angry and unreasonable.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting | Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOnce in power, they often hired gifted artists to portray them in flattering and benevolent poses.
Help with onerous conditions is not help so much as benevolent coercion.
If you have a great person in charge then a benevolent dictator is wonderful.
What Joan Rivers Said She Would Do If She Were Dictator of America | Asawin Suebsaeng | September 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOr, they may be less benevolent, as Dray believes Gorelik was.
He was learned, benevolent and pious, and author of several religious works.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellHis ambition is a purely selfish one, while mine is distinctly benevolent.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThe bed threw a shadow on them both, but she could see his benevolent face, anxious and yet reassuring, rather clearly.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettThe Railway benevolent Institution provided a rallying point.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowGenerally persons who associate for charitable or benevolent purposes do not regard themselves in a legal sense as partners.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
British Dictionary definitions for benevolent
/ (bɪˈnɛvələnt) /
intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly: a benevolent smile; a benevolent old man
doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable: a benevolent organization
Origin of benevolent
1Derived forms of benevolent
- benevolently, adverb
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
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