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

“Joan had benevolent impulses toward Eve,” says Anolik.

From Los Angeles 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

“Transformers One,” which serves as a prequel to the entire narrative universe about an alien race of metallic humanoids with the ability to morph into vehicles, traces the origin of the conflict between the benevolent Autobots and the malicious Decepticons before the two groups even existed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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