1
as in judges
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tribunals
an assembly of persons for the administration of justice
a ruling from the bench is expected any day now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of benches
Paths trace the perimeter, benches sit beneath the canopy, and the central green stays open and uncomplicated.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
The museum is fully accessible to all persons and there are benches throughout the galleries.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
The plaza’s centerpiece will be three giant bison sculptures — a bull, cow and calf — surrounded by circular benches.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
About 20 relatives and friends of the sergeant have filled three center courtroom gallery benches during the trial, including when prosecutors displayed five autopsy photos to the jury.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
It was nearly all exposed to the sun, but the trail was punctuated by spots of shade with picnic benches that offered ideal resting points.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Know More New Hampshire has small political benches and stubborn politicians.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
In the middle of the community, there is a small barbecue grill and a couple of benches.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
That effectively left it as a fourth quarter of nothing by mop-up time, with both benches emptied.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
The museum is fully accessible to all persons and there are benches throughout the galleries.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
The plaza’s centerpiece will be three giant bison sculptures — a bull, cow and calf — surrounded by circular benches.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
About 20 relatives and friends of the sergeant have filled three center courtroom gallery benches during the trial, including when prosecutors displayed five autopsy photos to the jury.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated March 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
It was nearly all exposed to the sun, but the trail was punctuated by spots of shade with picnic benches that offered ideal resting points.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Know More New Hampshire has small political benches and stubborn politicians.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
In the middle of the community, there is a small barbecue grill and a couple of benches.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
That effectively left it as a fourth quarter of nothing by mop-up time, with both benches emptied.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benches
Noun
-
In October, the Justice Department filed criminal charges against James that have since been thrown out successive times by federal judges.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The foundation’s judges and awards subcommittee members – the latter a volunteer group of industry professionals, academics, writers and reviewers that changes every year – also search on their own.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But through a series of deft legal maneuvers—joined to the ever more ambitious self-concepts of some international legal tribunals—Mauritius was able to win a second legal victory at another international tribunal, for the law of the sea.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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The position will also represent the department in front of administrative tribunals such as the State Personnel Board and the California Department of Human Resources as well as assist the attorney general’s office on civil litigation matters.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 24,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Because the feudal courts, chivalric codes, and aristocratic patronage that had sustained it were gone.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That order was struck down in multiple courts.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benches. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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