1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance
self-effacing as well as selfless, he refused all public acknowledgement of his many benevolences to the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in friendship
kindly concern, interest, or support
her benevolence towards her employees was such that she actually let one live in her home temporarily
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others
an actress who was admired for her benevolence as for her beauty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benevolence
Nina Sikkersoq Kristoffersen, a Greenlandic activist in Copenhagen, feels that for too long Danes have expected Greenlanders to be grateful for their benevolence while minimizing the ways Denmark benefitted from the island’s natural resources.
—
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
After April, then fame, then drilling down on your right path, then help, protection, benevolence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Gabriel’s billionaire is, in his great benevolence, giving the help a few weeks off in Greece.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, obituaries for women contained more language associated with benevolence and enjoying life’s pleasures.
—Kyle Fiore Law, The Conversation, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benevolence
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
After April, then fame, then drilling down on your right path, then help, protection, benevolence.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Gabriel’s billionaire is, in his great benevolence, giving the help a few weeks off in Greece.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, obituaries for women contained more language associated with benevolence and enjoying life’s pleasures.
—Kyle Fiore Law, The Conversation, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolence
Noun
-
There is little reason to think that Leon, who has already ruled against the government, will look with particular kindness on this experiment in literary form.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
As the intuitive Scorpio Moon harmonizes with expansive Jupiter this morning, kindness and perspective flow naturally, helping conversations feel more open and supportive.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Men’s interests, appetites, jawlines, leg lengths, testosterone levels, and friendships or lack thereof have been the object of feverish media attention in the past couple of years.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
An emo band whose members might otherwise now be at their most stable and content, they still seem authentically driven by unbridled, urgent emotion—only now their breakups involve lawyers, and the friendship drama occurs between people who rely on each other for income.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
But, even if Church’s propensity to recruit nature for heavy-handed symbolism can seem too much today, something about his work—some combination of thrilling ambition, tact tethered to empiricism, and loving tenderness—continues to magnetize our spectacle-jaded eyes.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
There are flashes of overwhelming tenderness and wind-stopping moments, and the songs are generally rich and full of character, populated by her usual cast of gay witches, Southern Baptist girls, medicine women, saints, and pre-Christian gods.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 24-hour drop-in center offers services, including charging stations, a kitchen and medical and laundry rooms.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
The incident May 1 involved a bulk carrier southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations service.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Our policies have been defined more by optimism and generosity than by selfishness and cynicism.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
Released regionally by Angel Studios, widely known for conservative and Christian content, the movie’s last moment is framed as partisan generosity.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, Southern plantation owners carried out a robust propaganda effort to extol the beneficence of their economic system.—
Gerry Lanosga,
The Conversation,
17 Nov. 2025
-
Trump’s pardon beneficence has also shone on former House Republicans in Southern California, notably a pair who each once represented parts of the San Diego area.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sturm then gave Swayman the mercy pull, which frankly could have happened after the disastrous first.—
Stephen Conroy,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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Leading only 3-0 after 3, the Owls brought up 16 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs, 8 with 2 outs, in the bottom fourth to activate the mercy rule.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Given that Copenhagen is highly rated for its kid friendliness, and the fact that the hotel is located in the center of town, it’s bound to attract families with young children.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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But many in Europe are concerned about his potential friendliness with the Kremlin.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolence. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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