benignant

American  

[bih-nig-nuhnt] / bɪˈnɪg nənt /

adjective

1. kind, especially to inferiors; gracious.

   a benignant sovereign.

   Synonyms:

   charitable, generous, benign, benevolent

2. exerting a good influence; beneficial.

   the benignant authority of the new president.

3. Pathology. benign.

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benignant British  

/ bɪˈnɪɡnənt /

adjective

1. kind; gracious, as a king to his subjects

2. a less common word for benign benign

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Other Word Forms

• benignancy noun
• benignantly adverb
• unbenignant adjective
• unbenignantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of benignant

1775–85; benign + -ant, modeled on malignant

Example Sentences

Radio's most untrammeled critic last week put out a little book that was, like himself, benignant but free from bunk.*

From Time Magazine Archive

He had "a benignant smile" and was popular with his people.

From Time Magazine Archive

For in one of the mission chambers a venerable, white-haired invalid, with wrinkled, bespectacled eyes and a broad, benignant face, lay on what seemed likely to be his death bed.

From Time Magazine Archive

Horace Mann, contending that education could become "the most effective and benignant of all the forces of civilization," vastly strengthened the Massachusetts system of free public schools for the poor as well as the rich.

From Time Magazine Archive

General Peckem roused himself after a moment with an unctuous and benignant smile.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller