benevolent Definition
be·nevo·lent (-lənt)
adjective
- doing or inclined to do good; kindly; charitable
- characterized by or resulting from benevolence
Etymology: ME & OFr < L benevolens < bene, well + volens, prp. of velle, to wish: see will
benevolent Related Forms
be·nev′o·lently adverb
benevolent Synonyms
benevolent Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
- despot: The table scrap thing makes a person feel like a benevolent despot, a human queen of the cat realm.
- dictator: Linux is the prime example of the ` ` benevolent dictator ' ' model of open-source development.
- deity: How can there be a benevolent deity in charge of this world?
- dictatorship: The British had always intended Nigeria to be ruled by a benevolent dictatorship.
- disposition: Their benevolent disposition often made them enter the cottages of the poor.
- gentleman: The same benevolent gentleman left a further sum of £ 50 to be divided among the poor.
Modifying Another Word
- however: I for one did not actually expect to find the Tower of London infiltrated by anyone, however benevolent; the notion seemed far-fetched.
- relatively: The Evans family were the sole local employers and appear to have been relatively benevolent for the time.
- so: It turns out, however, their motives are not so benevolent.
- very: Full Description: Long Cross Farm is reputedly haunted by a very benevolent spirit.
- not: Most agents in the system are not benevolent, i.e. they have conflicting goals.
- entirely: Gods may behave toward us in ways that we perceive as cruel for entirely benevolent motives.
Used with adjective complement
become: After his novel it became an acknowledged public holiday and employers even became more benevolent to the people who worked for them.
Browse dictionary entries near benevolent
- ‹ benevolence
- ‹ Beneš
- ‹ benempt
- ‹ Benelux
- ‹ benefit-of-the-bargain rule
- ‹ benefit of clergy
- ‹ benefit
- ‹ beneficiary
- ‹ beneficial owner
- ‹ beneficial
- Bengal ›
- Bengal light ›
- Bengalese ›
- Bengali ›
- bengaline ›
- Benghazi ›
- Benguela Current ›
- Beni ›
- Beni Suef ›
- benighted ›

