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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benevolence
Whatever happened to benevolence, kindness and selflessness?
—
Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2024
The British, much like the Soviets and the Americans decades later, were amazed to discover that Afghans did not believe in their benevolence.
—Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2011
This question brings in the benevolence component, and both are required.
—Simone Milasas, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
True benevolence considers and includes what works for you, too.
—Simone Milasas, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benevolence 
Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2024
The British, much like the Soviets and the Americans decades later, were amazed to discover that Afghans did not believe in their benevolence.
—Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2011
This question brings in the benevolence component, and both are required.
—Simone Milasas, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
True benevolence considers and includes what works for you, too.
—Simone Milasas, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benevolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benevolence
Noun
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Take a moment to watch these other random acts of kindness captured on camera!—
Ronnie Li,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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The viral video left many TikTok users emotional and grateful for the couple's kindness.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Events like the war in Vietnam, the brutal crackdown in the South of protests during the civil rights movement and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which Canada strongly opposed, tested that friendship at times.—
Matina Stevis-Gridneff,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
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And just to have that kind of friendship that many years?—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Named Lija, the wary but winsome mutt — in fact played by the filmmaker’s own pet — is snappish and defensive when her wounds are first treated, only to slowly relent and relax in the face of genuine tenderness.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
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Kickstart Your Day with The Morning Jolt Apparently, the rule is: belligerence toward our friends, tenderness toward our enemies, or some of them.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Adam Kubler, employment services coordinator for the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities, emphasized the importance of seeing remote work as an accommodation, one that's already in place.—
Gene Myers,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Benefactors did not necessarily serve these functions out of uncomplicated generosity.—
Brian Klaas,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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His namesake — the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness — stands on DU’s campus as a permanent remembrance of the former chancellor’s generosity.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
The Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Toobin’s thesis is brashly revisionist; Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon has gone down in history as a great act of beneficence.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2025
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Professional guidelines, such as those set by the American Psychological Association, emphasize the principles of integrity, justice and beneficence.—
Philip Caldwell,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Nestor is a man trying to maintain his dignity while at the mercy of everyone around him, his frustrations rising to the surface at the slightest provocation from his back-talking kids or his younger brother (Valentin Mexico), a hotshot with a Trans Am.—
Sheri Linden,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
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Without legislative backing, foreign aid will remain at the mercy of political cycles.—
Sean P. Brooks,
Orlando Sentinel,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Since the days of Hillary, Sherpas have been renowned not only for their stamina at high altitudes and capacity for hard work, but also their cheerful friendliness and simple grace.—
John Meyer,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
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Another characteristic of mine that puts me at risk for stalking is my friendliness, Storey said.—
Sadie Dingfelder,
TIME,
28 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Benevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benevolence. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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