well-meaning
[wel-mee-ning]
- meaning or intending well; having good intentions: a well-meaning but tactless person.
- Also well-meant [wel-ment] /ˈwɛlˈmɛnt/. proceeding from good intentions: Her well-meaning words were received in silence.
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Origin of well-meaning
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for well-meaning
Contemporary Examples
A lot of those people were well-meaning but really, really screwed up.
A Few Great Men Too Many: Aaron Sorkin Doesn’t Think You Can Handle the TruthArthur Chu
December 21, 2014
All of this makes even the most well-meaning junior soldier more confused and more uptight.
Exploitation from well-meaning agencies whose mission is to offer help is counterproductive.
And yet even for the most well-meaning parent, there are no guarantees.
The authors of the top 50 list explain how a well-meaning idea got out of control.
Historical Examples
Well-meaning men often do quite as much harm, in this world, as the evil-disposed.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
My name, translated, means gracious or kindly or well-meaning.
They Twinkled Like JewelsPhilip Jos Farmer
He was a man of good standing, well-meaning, and honest in his intentions.
The Expressman and the DetectiveAllan Pinkerton
She was a hard-working, honest, and well-meaning soul, but she was not her husband's equal.
Sue, A Little HeroineL. T. Meade
But Charles, in spite of his hypocritical character, was a well-meaning boy.
The Boat ClubOliver Optic
well-meaning
- having or indicating good or benevolent intentions, usually with unfortunate results
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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