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

Healy initially comes across as a well-meaning older boss, if a bit fussy and defensive, and her comically compliant assistant Sandra (Ashlyn Lozano) takes her own notes during the meeting, with her back to much of the audience. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

After all, these are the natural tendencies of well-meaning and conscientious team members. —Harrison Monarth, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

This show is effectively an anthology drama, with each new edition following a different set of rich tourists and well-meaning service industry employees at high-end international resorts. —Noel Murray, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025

That model—based on a well-meaning attempt to free scientific findings from subscription paywalls—relies on what are known as article-processing charges: fees researchers pay to publishers. —Adam Marcus, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 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