well-meaning

American  

[wel-mee-ning] / ˈwɛlˈmi nɪŋ /

Also well-intentioned

adjective

1. meaning or intending well; having good intentions.

   a well-meaning but tactless person.

2. Also well-meant proceeding from good intentions.

   Her well-meaning words were received in silence.

---

well-meaning British  

adjective

1. having or indicating good or benevolent intentions, usually with unfortunate results

---

Etymology

Origin of well-meaning

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

The turkey, meanwhile, looms — well-meaning and faintly ceremonial.

From Salon

Meanwhile, the turkey — often dry, well-meaning, faintly ceremonial — recedes into the background.

From Salon

He urges readers to weigh the consequences of not acting and suggests that well-meaning efforts to eliminate every hint of bias could stunt the deployment of tools that might improve outcomes, including for underserved populations.

From The Wall Street Journal

All the while, our well-meaning narrator tries his best to save Bartleby from himself.

From The Wall Street Journal

Together, these provisions — while well-meaning and politically popular in many cases — create limitations that make budgeting a challenge in California.

From Los Angeles Times