benignant
adjective
kind, especially to inferiors; gracious.
benignantly
-
a word derived from
benignant.
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.
Plato would smile benignantly on your progress, from the particulars of something sketched in the real world to the transcendence of pure form.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 1, 2015
In Ms. Tushnet’s time, as in mine — I was four years ahead of her at Yale — the Party of the Right had a benignantly cultish quality.
From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2010
He looked up and, out of priestly habit, smiled benignantly at Milton, his white teeth appearing in the great bush of black beard.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
You must be animated on these occasions—unless of course you happen to be a newly-engaged couple, in which case the world benignantly washes its hands of you—or the evening writes itself down a failure.
From A Safety Match by Ian Hay
"I sincerely hope you won't," said the Junior, benignantly.
From The Adventures of a Freshman by Jesse Lynch Williams
