benevolent

[ buh-nev-uh-luhnt ]

/ bəˈnɛv ə lənt /

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See synonyms for: benevolent / benevolently on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR benevolent

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

See synonyms for benevolent on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR benevolent

cruel.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of benevolent

1425–75; late Middle English <Latin benevolent- (stem of benevolēns) kindhearted (bene-bene- + vol- wish (akin to will¹) + -ent--ent)

OTHER WORDS FROM benevolent

be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverbbe·nev·o·lent·ness, nounnon·be·nev·o·lent, adjectivenon·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb

pseu·do·be·nev·o·lent, adjectivepseu·do·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverbqua·si-be·nev·o·lent, adjectivequa·si-be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverbsu·per·be·nev·o·lent, adjectivesu·per·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverbun·be·nev·o·lent, adjectiveun·be·nev·o·lent·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH benevolent

beneficent, beneficial, benevolent

Words nearby benevolent

benempt, Beneš, Benét, Benevento, benevolence, benevolent, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, benevolent sexism, Benfleet, Beng., Bengal

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.
Why Do We Have to Die? - Issue 104: Harmony|Aaron Hirsh|August 4, 2021|Nautilus
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|Time
Whether 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|Time
In 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 Post

Rodrigo has been at the center of that mostly benevolent storm this year.
How Olivia Rodrigo Became America’s Biggest New Pop Star|Raisa Bruner|May 24, 2021|Time
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|DAILY BEAST
Once in power, they often hired gifted artists to portray them in flattering and benevolent poses.
Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth|Nick Romeo|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Help with onerous conditions is not help so much as benevolent coercion.
America’s Meddlers Are Our Worst Enemies|Stefan Beck|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Or, they may be less benevolent, as Dray believes Gorelik was.
The Mom Forced to Have a C-Section|Emily Shire|June 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was learned, benevolent and pious, and author of several religious works.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
His ambition is a purely selfish one, while mine is distinctly benevolent.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The bed threw a shadow on them both, but she could see his benevolent face, anxious and yet reassuring, rather clearly.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
The Railway Benevolent Institution provided a rallying point.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Generally 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

benevolent

/ (bɪˈnɛvələnt) /

adjective

intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendlya benevolent smile; a benevolent old man

doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitablea benevolent organization

Derived forms of benevolent

benevolently, adverb

Word Origin for benevolent

C15: from Latin benevolēns, from bene well + velle to wish

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

benevolent

OTHER WORDS FOR benevolent

OPPOSITES FOR benevolent

Origin of benevolent

OTHER WORDS FROM benevolent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH benevolent

Words nearby benevolent

Words related to benevolent

How to use benevolent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for benevolent

Derived forms of benevolent

Word Origin for benevolent