benevolent

[ buh-nev-uh-luhnt ]

adjective

1. characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings:

   a benevolent attitude; her benevolent smile.

2. desiring to help others; charitable:

   gifts from several benevolent alumni.

   Synonyms: altruistic, philanthropic, benign, liberal, generous, humane, kind, good

3. intended for benefits rather than profit:

   a benevolent institution.

benevolent

/ bɪˈnɛvələnt /

adjective

1. intending or showing goodwill; kindly; friendly

   a benevolent old man

   a benevolent smile

2. doing good or giving aid to others, rather than making profit; charitable

   a benevolent organization

Derived Forms

• beˈnevolently, adverb

Other Words From

• be·nevo·lent·ly adverb
• be·nevo·lent·ness noun
• nonbe·nevo·lent adjective
• nonbe·nevo·lent·ly adverb
• pseudo·be·nevo·lent adjective
• pseudo·be·nevo·lent·ly adverb
• quasi-be·nevo·lent adjective
• quasi-be·nevo·lent·ly adverb
• super·be·nevo·lent adjective
• super·be·nevo·lent·ly adverb
• unbe·nevo·lent adjective
• unbe·nevo·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of benevolent¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin benevolent-, stem of benevolēns “kindhearted, well-wishing,” from bene- bene- + volēns “willing, wishing” (present participle of velle “to want, wish”); voluntary

Word History and Origins

Origin of benevolent¹

C15: from Latin benevolēns , from bene well + velle to wish

Example Sentences

His rhymes are intermittently clever and the chorus contains several sticky hooks, but that fresh, benevolent trickster’s energy that made “Old Town Road” feel so ahead of the curve still remains an elusive quantity.

From New York Times

Its Gotham as a right-wing talking point come to life, hollowed out by federal disinvestment and abandoned to the whims of street gangs, mobsters and the benevolent grace of a gazillionaire industrialist named Bruce Wayne.

From Salon

For a while there, many of us in the newspaper business thought that benevolent billionaires were a plausible savior for news organizations like the Post and the LA Times.

From Salon

The protection of women — purportedly a benevolent, paternalistic gesture — has instead been historically grounded in and applied for the purposes of controlling women.

From Salon

While the intentions may be benevolent, one thing remains the same: Throughout the history of race in America, the white majority seems to decide how to identify others.

From Salon

Related Words

• benign
• caring
• compassionate
• generous
• humane
• philanthropic