beneficent

adjective

be·​nef·​i·​cent bə-ˈne-fə-sənt 

1

: doing or producing good

a beneficent policy

especially : performing acts of kindness and charity

a beneficent leader

2

: beneficial

beneficent bacteria

beneficently adverb

Synonyms

• benevolent
• compassionate
• kind
• sympathetic
• humane

Examples of beneficent in a Sentence

a humane and beneficent policy

a beneficent couple who are regular volunteers at a homeless shelter

Recent Examples on the Web

Far away from the old, broken planet, a libertarian utopia will flourish, under the beneficent sway of the Elon. —Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025

Plus, a lot of social policies that many Californians consider beneficent and broad-minded that, to put it mildly, others around the country consider much less so. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025

American capitalists extolling the long-term beneficent effects of their trade should remember the history of U.S. capitalism in Soviet Russia. —Reuel Marc Gerecht, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2016

White male Christian authority could posture as gracious and beneficent as long as it was unquestioned. —Rebecca Solnit january 13, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2021

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from beneficence

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for beneficent

• coefficient
• inefficient
• insufficient
• deficient
• efficient
• omniscient
• proficient
• sufficient

Kids Definition

beneficent

adjective

be·​nef·​i·​cent bə-ˈnef-ə-sənt 

: doing or producing good

especially : performing acts of kindness or charity

beneficently adverb