well-meaning

adjective

well-mean·​ing ˈwel-ˈmē-niŋ 

1

: having good intentions

well-meaning but misguided idealists

2

: based on good intentions

well-meaning advice

Examples of well-meaning in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And this is, quite bravely, what the movie is interested in—the choice of a victim not to speak out, and the ripples of unease this causes among both well-meaning adults and Julie’s peers. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025

But Uri might have other reasons for staying mum about his earlier years, and well-meaning wife (Ania Bukstein) accidentally comes one step closer to finding out why. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025

The Mans are depicted as well-meaning grifters who rescue Natalia but aren’t without their own issues. —Aja Romano, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025

This one has Skarsgard as Eddie, a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to Sarah (Ashley Cartwright) and petty thief whose attempt to steal a luxury SUV turns into disaster because its unseen psycho vigilante owner named William (Anthony Hopkins) has rigged it so bad things happen. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for well-meaning

• careening
• convening
• demeaning
• housecleaning
• machining
• unmeaning
• cleaning
• gleaning
• greening
• keening
• leaning
• meaning

Kids Definition

well-meaning

adjective

well-mean·​ing

-ˈmē-niŋ

: having or based on good intentions